1960 Map of Maroon Bells

About this map

The high-altitude drainage of Maroon Creek and its neighboring valleys define this 1960 field-checked survey of the central Elk Mountains. The terrain is characterized by the divide between the White River National Forest and the Gunnison National Forest, where the county line separates Pitkin and Gunnison. High peaks such as North Maroon Peak, Maroon Peak, and Pyramid Peak overlook a network of pack trails that provide the only access to remote landmarks like Conundrum Hot Springs and Silver Dollar Pond. Evidence of early prospecting appears in the southern reaches at a Mine near Rustler Gulch, while recreational and administrative presence is noted at the Maroon Lake Campground and the Conundrum Guard Station. The map illustrates a landscape tied to the glacial basins of Fravert Basin and Copper Basin, reflecting a post-war era of wilderness management and backcountry surveying.