Loading map...

1960 Map of Maroon Bells

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Maroon Bells
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Maroon Peak and its sister summit North Maroon Peak dominate this high-altitude landscape within the Elk Mountains. This 1960 field-checked survey reveals the complex drainage systems of Maroon Creek and Conundrum Creek, which carve deep valleys through the White River National Forest and Gunnison National Forest. The map documents a wilderness infrastructure defined by a extensive network of Pack Trails connecting remote basins and passes.

Climbers and hikers of the era relied on these routes to reach landmarks like Pyramid Peak or the isolated Conundrum Hot Springs. The map also captures the early recreational footprint at Maroon Lake, featuring the Maroon Lake Campground at the base of the peaks. A solitary Mine label in the southwest and the Conundrum Guard Station further east provide evidence of the diverse human activity, from resource extraction to forest management, occurring in this high alpine environment.