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1967 Map of North Pass

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of North Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high-altitude landscape in Saguache County, forming the boundary between the Gunnison National Forest and Rio Grande National Forest. Historically significant passage through the San Juan Mountains is evidenced by North Pass and Cochetopa Pass, which served as critical transit points before modern highway developments. The map provides a detailed view of the drainage systems feeding into these passes, including the headwaters of Lujan Creek, Luders Creek, and West Pass Creek.

Tracing the northern portion of the sheet reveals the Spanish Trail, a historical route that underscores the area's long-standing importance for travel and trade across the mountains. For outdoor recreationists and local historians, the mid-century placement of the Luders Creek Campground and Buffalo Pass Campground indicates the established recreational use of these forest lands by the late 1960s. The landscape is dotted with numerous benchmarks, such as BM 10067 near the pass, highlighting the meticulous survey work conducted by the U. S. Forest Service and the USGS.