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1997 Map of Portal Peak

Name: 1997 Topographic Map of Portal Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2003
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2003

About this map

The Chiricahua Mountains dominate this 1997 topographic landscape, where the Chiricahua Wilderness and Coronado National Forest converge. This terrain is characterized by deep drainage systems like Cave Creek and Baker Canyon, punctuated by high points such as Portal Peak and Sulphur Peak. The presence of several named springs, including Log Spring and Dripping Spring, indicates the vital water sources required for both wildlife and the occasional human outpost in this high-elevation environment.

Evidence of human activity is primarily found in the network of paths like the Finnicum Peak Trail and the Snowshoe Trail, alongside basic infrastructure for land management such as the Horseshoe Corrals and Warren Well. These features, along with the Herb Martyr Campground, suggest a landscape utilized for recreational transit and livestock management rather than permanent settlement. The surveyor's notes detail a shift in topographical data from 1982 to late 1990s imagery, reflecting the evolving precision of high-country mapping.