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1960 Map of Mount Champion

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Mount Champion
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

Mt Champion and the high-altitude industrial remains of the Pitkin and Lake County border define this high-alpine landscape at the start of the 1960s. The map illustrates the grueling infrastructure required for mining at nearly 14,000 feet, specifically the Champion Mine and its accompanying Champion Mill. An Aerial Tramway is clearly marked, connecting the mountain's steep slopes to the valley floor, a vital link for moving ore and supplies across the high peaks.

The watershed of the Fryingpan River dominates the northern reaches, while the Continental Divide zigzags through the center, separating the White River and San Isabel National Forests. High glacial basins hold numerous bodies of water, including the Granite Lakes, Independence Lake, and Lost Man Reservoir. A network of pack trails, such as the South Fork Fryingpan Trail and Lost Man Trail, provide the primary access through the Williams Mountains, following the path of early prospectors and surveyors.