2016 Map of Mount Sneffels

About this map

Mount Sneffels anchors the high southern terrain of this 2016 survey, presiding over a landscape defined by sharp elevation changes and the protected reaches of the Uncompahgre National Forest. The transition from the high-altitude peaks like Mears Peak and Teakettle Mtn down toward the northern reaches of the Uncompahgre Plateau reveals a sophisticated network of water management, including the Ridgway Town Ditch, Cannon Ditch, and the S and M Canal. These man-made channels reflect the ongoing necessity of directing runoff from the high basins to support lower-elevation lands. Historical land use is evident in named landmarks like Box Factory Park and Miller Mesa, while the rugged interior is traversable via the extensive Dallas Trail and Blue Lakes Trail systems. The map detail highlights how the drainage of W Fork Dallas Cr and its tributaries carve the landscape, sustaining pockets like Elder Meadow and several high alpine lakes.