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1980 Map of Lava Creek

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Lava Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

White River National Forest defines this high-elevation landscape in Eagle County, dominated by the winding course of the Piney River and its numerous tributaries. The topography is marked by significant passes and peaks, including Mc Cord Pass on the eastern edge and the prominent Cottonwood Peak along Piney Ridge. This 1980s-era survey reveals a terrain primarily accessible by a network of primitive routes, including the Jeep Trail and Pack Trail systems that connect remote landmarks like the Piney Guard Station.

Water sources are vital to this environment, evidenced by named springs such as Cottonwood Mesa Spring and Grass Gulch Spring. The map documents a transition in high-altitude meadows and basins, from the secluded Elkhorn Park to the cluster of alpine waters like Lava Lake, Marma Lake, and the Lone Lick Lakes. These features imply a landscape utilized for forest management and seasonal grazing, captured here before modern developments could reach these higher reaches of the Rockies.