2016 Map of Knife Edge

About this map

The Continental Divide and the narrow ridge of Knife Edge define this high-altitude landscape on the boundary between the Rio Grande National Forest and San Juan National Forest. In the northern half of the quadrangle, the headwaters of the Rio Grande flow near several named canyons, including Sawmill Canyon and Box Canyon. This 2016 survey documents a network of footpaths essential for high-country navigation, such as the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Fern Creek Trail. Significant water resources are clustered in the east and south, featuring high-elevation basins like Big Ruby Reservoir and Trout Lake. The map illustrates the extreme topography of the San Juan Mountains, showing the complex drainage systems of Little Squaw Creek and Texas Cr as they move through the Hinsdale and Mineral county line.