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1957 Map of Mount Richthofen

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Mount Richthofen
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high-altitude landscape, marking the boundary between Jackson and Grand counties. This 1957 field-checked survey highlights a convergence of major public lands, including the Colorado State Forest, Routt National Forest, and the northwestern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. The topography is dominated by the Never Summer Mountains, with sharp peaks like Mount Richthofen and Nokhu Crags towering over glacial features such as Lake Agnes and the Michigan Lakes.

Historically, the map documents the primitive transportation network of the era, consisting primarily of pack trails rather than roads. Routes like the Michigan Trail and Jack Creek Trail follow the drainage of the Michigan River and its various forks, providing the only access through steep gulches like Skeleton Gulch and across high points like Baker Pass. This area remains a preserved wilderness where the headwaters of the Illinois River begin their descent from the western slopes.