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2013 Map of La Plata

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of La Plata
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

La Plata occupies a central position within this high-elevation terrain, situated along the headwaters of the La Plata River. The geography is dominated by the jagged summits of the La Plata Mountains, including prominent landmarks like Hesperus Mountain, Lavender Peak, and Mount Moss. The landscape is a network of deep glacial cirques and drainage basins, such as Owen Basin and Rush Basin, which feed numerous watercourses like the S Fork W Mancos River and Lightner Cr.

A complex system of ridges and peaks, from Sharkstooth Peak in the north to Parrott Peak and Madden Peak in the south, indicates a history of mineral exploration and mountaineering. Small alpine features like Twin Lakes and the Taylor Reservoir emphasize the importance of water management in this high country. The boundary between Montezuma and La Plata counties follows the high ridgelines, including Indian Trail Ridge, reflecting how natural landforms dictated early administrative borders in the San Juan National Forest.