1957 Map of Mc Henrys Peak

About this map

Rocky Mountain National Park is defined by the high peaks and alpine lakes of the Continental Divide, where elevations rise to over 13,000 feet at McHenrys Peak. The 1957 field check recorded the intricate water network feeding the Big Thompson River, including Fern Lake and The Loch. Human presence in this high-altitude wilderness is marked by isolated structures like the Patrol Cabin and the Ranger Station near Bear Lake. The map illustrates the specialized infrastructure required for this terrain, from the engineering of Trail Ridge Road to the high-elevation Ditch Trail. Numerous glaciers such as Tyndall Glacier and Sprague Glacier are shown at their mid-century extent, nestled between iconic formations like The Sharkstooth and Little Matterhorn. This survey provides a baseline for the geological and hydrological state of the Front Range before modern climatic shifts impacted the permanent ice fields.