2022 Map of Porter Mountain

About this map

The Grand Mesa National Forest and Gunnison National Forest converge on this high-altitude landscape, where the boundary between Mesa and Delta counties follows the crest of Buzzard Divide. Water management is central to the area's geography, visible in the engineering of the Elizabeth Ditch, Harrison Ditch Number 1, and the McKelvie Reservoir, which capture snowmelt for lower elevations. The terrain is a complex of named flats and parks, including Dead Mare Park and Stillwater Park, separated by prominent rises like Porter Mtn and Plateau Ridge. An extensive network of trails, such as the Hightower Snowmobile Trl and Porter Mountain Trl, indicates a modern shift toward recreation and conservation within these protected federal lands.