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2001 Map of Elwood Pass

Name: 2001 Topographic Map of Elwood Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2005
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2005

About this map

Rio Grande National Forest and San Juan National Forest meet at the high continental spine in this 2001 revision, which delineates the remote high-country boundaries of Mineral, Rio Grande, Archuleta, and Conejos counties. The landscape is defined by the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which snakes along the ridge between Railroad Pass and Elwood Pass. While the region is primarily wilderness, evidence of early alpine industry and occupancy persists at the Black Diamond Mine and isolated structures like McCormick Cabin and Minesite Cabin.

Hydrography is notably complex here, as the terrain feeds several major watersheds. Headwaters including the East Fork San Juan River and the West Fork Rio Grande begin their descent from these peaks, carved out by numerous tributaries such as Joe Mann Creek and Lost Mine Creek. Distinctive landmarks like the high plateau of Handkerchief Mesa and the glacial bowl of Crater Lake punctuate the high-elevation topography.