2022 Map of Handies Peak

About this map

The high mountain settlement of Eureka sits at the confluence of the Animas River and Eureka Gulch, serving as a central point for the network of alpine passes and gulches that defined this mineral-rich region. Straddling the boundaries of San Juan, Ouray, and Hinsdale counties, the landscape is marked by historic transit routes like Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass, which connect the drainage basins of Henson Cr and the Lake Fork. The presence of high-altitude water bodies such as Lake Emma and Lake Como, alongside features like Placer Gulch and California Gulch, indicates a terrain deeply shaped by the search for gold and silver. This modern survey captures the enduring network of county roads and trails, including the Bear Creek National Recreation Trl, that now facilitate recreation within the Uncompahgre National Forest.