Loading map...

2011 Map of Poncha Pass

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Poncha Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Poncha Pass serves as the central divide in this high-altitude landscape, where the waters of Poncha Creek and San Luis Creek begin their descent. The terrain is defined by significant peaks including Methodist Mountain, Poncha Mountain, and Cleveland Mountain, which enclose a network of deep drainages such as Sawmill Gulch and Camp Rock Gulch.

Human presence is concentrated along the arterial corridor through the pass, anchored by the rail and road history of Mears Junction and the agricultural footprint of Shewalter Ranch. The map captures a sophisticated network of forest and county infrastructure, notably Marshall Pass Rd and various numbered routes like County Rd-WW50. For those interested in the hydrology of the San Luis Valley's northern edge, the headwaters of Swidinski Creek and the secluded Salamander Lake provide specific points of geographic interest.