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1973 Map of Emerald Lake

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Emerald Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Emerald Lake and the smaller Little Emerald Lake lie at the heart of this high-elevation landscape within the San Juan National Forest. Surveyed in the early 1970s, the map reveals a wilderness dominated by steep drainage basins and sharp summits, including Mount Oso, Buffalo Peak, and Peters Peak. The drainage network is particularly detailed, showing the Los Pinos River flowing through the eastern reaches while Flint Creek and Lake Creek carve deep paths through the western slopes.

A network of primitive routes, such as the Rock Creek Trail and Cave Basin Trail, provides the only access through these highlands, which straddle the La Plata and Hinsdale county line. Distinctive alpine features like Barebottom Park and the elevated Mesa Lato illustrate the diverse high-country terrain. This record is essential for understanding the remote topography of the southern Rockies before more modern recreational shifts.