Loading map...

2022 Map of Emerald Lake

Name: 2022 Topographic Map of Emerald Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2022
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2022

About this map

The high-altitude drainage basin of the Los Pinos River defines this portion of the San Juan National Forest. At the heart of the terrain lies Emerald Lake, a significant water body fed by Lake Creek and flanked by Little Emerald Lake. The map reveals a network of primitive transportation routes essential for navigating these heights, including the Lake Fork Trl and the Cave Basin Trl, which connect the lower valleys to the jagged peaks of the continental divide.

Prominent landmarks such as Buffalo Peak, Mt Oso, and the uniquely named Barebottom Park provide navigational anchors in a landscape dominated by dramatic elevation changes. To the south, the settlement area at Cave Basin sits near the head of Hell Canyon, illustrating the remote human presence in this corner of Hinsdale and La Plata counties. The intricate hydrology of the region is further evidenced by isolated basins like Dollar Lake and Annie Lakes near the northern boundary.