2011 Map of Garfield

About this map

High-altitude mining claims and rugged mountain passes dominate this 2011 survey of the Sawatch Range. The settlement of Garfield sits at the base of a dense cluster of historic workings on the eastern slopes of Taylor Mountain, including the Jewell Tunnel Mine, Mountain Chief Mine, and Last Chance Mine. This concentration of labels reflects the area's deep roots in the extraction industry, contrasted with the modern recreational footprint of the Monarch Ski Area near the southern boundary. Steep terrain is navigated via routes like Original Monarch Pass and Hancock Pass, while the high basins hold numerous alpine water bodies such as Hunkydory Lake and Hancock Lake. These drainage patterns feed into the South Arkansas River and the Middle Fork South Arkansas River, defining the local hydrology. For genealogists, the Tomichi Cemetery provides a rare and significant link to the early inhabitants who worked these remote mountain claims.