2019 Map of Liberty

About this map

Liberty and Duncan represent the principal human settlements in this high-altitude landscape where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains meet the San Luis Valley. This topographic record documents the complex transition from the protected woodlands of the Rio Grande National Forest to the shifting landscapes of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. The hydrology of the area is defined by seasonal watercourses like Sand Creek and Medano Creek, which interact with the massive dune field. A network of primitive routes, including the Sand Ramp Trail and various stretches of 2 Track Road, provides the only access through this wilderness. Notable geological features such as Cleveland Gulch, Slide Rock Canyon, and Sawmill Canyon highlight the steep drainage patterns that feed the valley floor below.