1908 Map of Engineer Mountain

About this map

Denver and Rio Grande RR tracks follow the steep contours of the Purgatory River and Animas River canyons, serving as a vital industrial artery through the San Juan National Forest. The landscape is dominated by high-altitude features like Engineer Mtn and Grayrock Peak, where early transportation routes are marked by the Old Tollgate and the Butler Trail. This area represents a transition from high mountain peaks to the managed waters of Electra Lake, which supports the Power House near Tacoma. Scattered ranching and early settlement footprints appear at Hamon's Ranch and Hermosa Park. The map captures the infrastructure of the late 19th-century mountain economy, including the Flume and railroad stop at Cascade Siding, which were essential for navigating the complex terrain of Coalbank Hill and the Needle Mountains.