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2001 Map of Medano Pass

Name: 2001 Topographic Map of Medano Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2005
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2005

About this map

The high-altitude drainage systems and wilderness boundaries of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are meticulously documented in this 2001 revision. Centered on the rugged Medano Pass, the landscape is defined by the headwaters of Medano Creek and its many tributaries, including Little Medano Creek and Horse Creek. High peaks such as Mount Herard and Mount Zwischen anchor the terrain, while the Medano Pass 4wd Road provides a rare point of access through the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness.

The map reveals a complex transition between the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the surrounding San Isabel National Forest. Local hydrologic features like Medano Lake and the seasonally varying Dry Lake illustrate the water distribution across the Saguache, Huerfano, and Alamosa county lines. The intersection of these administrative and natural boundaries highlights the importance of the pass as a historic corridor through the range.