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2016 Map of Monument Hill

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Monument Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

San Juan National Forest defines this high-altitude landscape in the southern La Plata Mountains, where a complex network of canyons and gulches drain into Hermosa Creek and Junction Creek. The map records a legacy of prospecting and resource extraction through named sites such as the Neglected Mine and Oro Fino, tucked into the steep slopes of Leavenworth Gulch. These historical mining interests are connected by a series of rugged paths, most notably the Junction Creek Trail / Colorado Trail and the Sliderock Trail / Colorado Trail, which trace the high ridges and valley floors.

Terrain features like Monument Hill, Red Hill, and Barnes Mtn dominate the topography, while lower elevations reveal places like Cemetery Flats and Wild Oat Mesa. The drainage patterns are intricate, with numerous named gulches like Chicago Gulch and Stamboul Gulch carving the mountain faces. This 2016 survey captures the area's transition from an active mining frontier to a protected recreational and forest management landscape.