2016 Map of Handies Peak

About this map

Eureka sits at the southern edge of this high-altitude landscape, where the Animas River and its multiple forks converge. The area is defined by its deep mining and transit history, evidenced by the Bagley Tunnel and the network of mountain crossings like Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass. These high-country routes connect various basins, including Hurricane Basin and American Basin, which are surrounded by towering summits such as Cinnamon Mtn and Handies Peak. The northern reaches fall within the Uncompahgre National Forest, where the Bear Creek National Recreation Trail follows the steep drainage of Bear Cr. Throughout the terrain, numerous namesake features like Denver Hill, Denver Lake, and Denver Bridge mark the legacy of early exploration and infrastructure in San Juan and Hinsdale Counties. The abundance of named gulches and high alpine lakes, including Lake Como and Lake Emma, illustrates a complex drainage system essential to the regional mining economy.