1939 Map of Mount Elbert

About this map

Mt Elbert and Mt Massive dominate this high-altitude landscape of the Sawatch Range, where early twentieth-century mining and infrastructure trace the steep contours of the Continental Divide. The eastern slopes descend toward the upper reaches of the Arkansas River, which serves as a vital corridor for the Denver and Rio Grande Western RR. Settlement is concentrated in small communities like Malta, Stringtown, and Bucktown, often located near significant industry and conservation efforts such as the US Fish Hatchery and US Fish Nursery. To the south, the Twin Lakes reservoir provides a central landmark for the area, surrounded by smaller camps and schools like Soda Springs Sch. This map documents a period when rugged alpine terrain was actively managed through mining at the Columbine Mine and recreational ventures like the Mt Massive Trout Club.