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1967 Map of Platoro

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Platoro
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The Continental Divide forms a jagged spine through this high-altitude landscape, separating the headwaters of the Alamosa River and the East Fork San Juan River. In the late 1960s, the settlement of Platoro stood as a primary hub for mining and water management, situated just east of the expansive Platoro Reservoir. The area's industrial history is etched into the peaks, where the Mammoth Revenue Mine and several tunnels, including the Iowa Tunnel and French Tunnel, mark the legacy of mineral extraction in the San Juan Mountains.

Deep within the Rio Grande National Forest, the map reveals a network of high-country cabins and stations such as Stunner Cabin, McCormick Cabin, and the Elwood Guard Sta. These outposts, along with the Radio Grayback Facility Mtn, suggest a mid-century landscape dedicated to resource management and technical infrastructure. Natural features like Handkerchief Mesa and Poage Lake are detailed alongside historic routes like the Blanco Trail, providing a comprehensive look at the land's transition from early mining to managed forest.