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2011 Map of La Plata

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of La Plata
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

La Plata sits at the heart of a high-altitude mining district where the La Plata River cuts through the steep terrain of the La Plata Mountains. This 2011 survey shows a landscape heavily marked by its mineral history, with a high concentration of named claims and shafts like the Georgia Girl Mine, Lady Stafford Mine, and the La Plata Mine. The presence of the Gold King Mill and various placers, such as the East Mancos River Placers, indicates the scale of ore processing that once dominated these canyons.

Beyond the industrial footprint, the map details the rugged topography of the San Juan National Forest, featuring prominent peaks like Hesperus Mountain and Centennial Peak. Access to these heights is traced through landmarks such as the Sharkstooth Trailhead and the Kennebec Trailhead. The network of drainages, including Boren Creek and Madden Creek, dictates the placement of early roads like Co RD 124 which follows the river's path into the high basin.