2011 Map of Mount Yale

About this map

Mount Yale anchors this high-altitude landscape where mining legacy and recreational development converge in the Chaffee County mountains. Evidence of early prospector activity is preserved in labels for the Browns Cabin Mine, Holywater Mine, and the Longfellow Claim. These sites sit alongside historic shelters like Browns Cabin and Hangmans Cabin, reflecting the difficult conditions faced by those working the high peaks. The 2011 survey reveals a transition toward modern wilderness management, with established recreational hubs such as Collegiate Peaks Campground and the Cottonwood Lake Picnic Ground. Glacial features define the topography, from the waters of Kroenke Lake and Hartenstein Lake to the steep drainage of Avalanche Gulch and Porphyry Gulch. Transportation is centered on State Hwy 306, which follows the path of Middle Cottonwood Creek to provide access into the heart of the range.