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1963 Map of La Plata

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of La Plata
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

San Juan National Forest encompasses this high-altitude landscape where the La Plata Mountains rise sharply between Montezuma and La Plata counties. The settlement of La Plata sits along the La Plata River, serving as a central point for the area's mineral exploration. The map documents numerous mining operations that shaped the local economy, including the Gold King Mine, Comstock Mine, and Lucky Discovery Mine.

High ridges and deep basins define the topography, with significant peaks such as Hesperus Mountain and Sharkstooth Peak towering over the drainages of the West Mancos River and South Fork Hermosa Creek. Historic transportation routes like the High Line Trail and the Indian Trail Ridge traverse the crests, connecting points like Kennebec Pass and Eagle Pass. These trails and unimproved roads reflect the era's reliance on rugged access for both resource extraction and backcountry management.