2013 Map of Mount Richthofen

About this map

The Continental Divide serves as the literal and figurative centerpiece of this high-altitude survey, marking the jagged boundary between Jackson and Grand counties. This terrain is defined by the soaring peaks of the Never Summer Range, including the namesake Mount Richthofen and the distinctive Nokhu Crags. The map documents a complex hydraulic landscape where man-made infrastructure like the Grand Ditch and Upper Michigan Ditch redirects alpine runoff across these steep divides. High basins cradle remote water bodies such as Lake Agnes, Snow Lake, and the Michigan Lakes, which feed the headwaters of the Michigan River. Significant portions of the landscape are protected within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park, Routt National Forest, and Arapaho National Forest. A network of backcountry routes, including the Never Summer Trail and Michigan River Trail, provides the only access through these formidable passes.