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2016 Map of Poncha Pass

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Poncha Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Poncha Pass serves as the central geographic point on this 2016 survey, marking the vital transit corridor between the peaks of the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Sawatch Range. This high-altitude landscape is defined by the convergence of the San Isabel National Forest and Rio Grande National Forest, where the boundary between Chaffee and Saguache counties meets the Fremont County line. The map reveals a complex network of drainage and terrain, including the steep descents of Silverheels Gulch and Camp Rock Gulch.

Infrastructure in this alpine environment is focused around the highway corridor and notable points of interest like the Granite Mountain Lodge Airport. Outdoor history is reflected in the extensive Rainbow Trail and the thermal waters of Poncha Hot Springs at the northern edge. From the heights of Methodist Mtn to the secluded Salamander Lake, the map provides a modern record of land management and recreational access in this significant Colorado mountain pass.