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2013 Map of Minnesota Pass

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Minnesota Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Gunnison National Forest dominates this high-altitude landscape in Delta and Gunnison counties, where drainage patterns define the geography of the West Elk Mountains. A complex network of watercourses, including the N Smith Fork Gunnison River and multiple forks of Minnesota Cr, indicates a region shaped by high-country runoff. Higher elevations are marked by notable landmarks such as Mount Gunnison and the Chain Mountains, while lower mesas like Lion Mesa and Wooten Mesa provide flatter breaks in the topography.

Evidence of historical land use is visible in the irrigation and grazing infrastructure. The Deep Cr Ditch and Lone Cabin Ditch systems highlight efforts to manage water across these slopes, while Upper Cow Camp in the northeastern corner suggests the area's legacy as rangeland. Transportation is largely limited to specialized routes like the Curecanti Trl and the Lone Cabin Jeep Trl, which connect remote points like Minnesota Pass and Hoodoo Gap.