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2016 Map of Gray Head

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

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

The San Miguel River cuts a deep path through this high-altitude landscape of San Miguel County, where early 21st-century recreation and aviation intersect with the remnants of older mountain life. Modern developments like Mountain Village contrast with the historic footprint of settlements like Ilium, Vanadium, and Vance Junction, which once served the regional rail and mining interests. The steep topography is defined by prominent peaks including Gray Head, Whipple Mtn, and Hawn Mtn, while the Telluride Regional Airport sits atop Deep Creek Mesa, demonstrating the unique logistical challenges of the high-country terrain.

Outdoor heritage is preserved within the Uncompahgre National Forest, where a dense network of paths like the Galloping Goose Trail and Lizard Head Trail follow the contours of the land. These routes often trace old transit corridors, such as the Ilium Flume and Old Wilson Mesa Trail. From the secluded Alta Lakes to the sprawling Wilson Mesa, the map documents a transition from industrial mountain origins to a landscape defined by seasonal tourism and conservation.