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2016 Map of Emerald Lake

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Emerald Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Emerald Lake and its smaller counterpart, Little Emerald Lake, form the centerpiece of this high-elevation wilderness within the San Juan National Forest. Situated along the boundary of La Plata and Hinsdale counties, the terrain is defined by a series of steep drainages and peaks, including Mt Oso and Buffalo Peak. The hydrology is complex, with numerous high-altitude water bodies such as Lake Mary Alice, Moon Lake, and the Flint Lakes feeding into systems like the Los Pinos River.

Travel through this landscape is dictated by a network of established paths rather than roads. The Lake Fork Trail skirts the primary lakes, while the Pine River Trail and Flint Creek Trail provide access to the deep interior canyons. Evidence of the area's geological character is found in features like Cave Basin and Hell Canyon, which sit alongside distinctive landmarks like Table Mtn and Popes Nose. This survey documents the primitive state of the region's recreational infrastructure and watershed at the time of the 2016 update.