2022 Map of Ralston Buttes

About this map

Ralston Buttes and the steep surrounding canyons define this portion of the Front Range northwest of the encroaching Arvada city limits. This landscape is a complex network of deep drainages including Golden Gate Canyon, Crawford Gulch, and Clear Creek Canyon. The map reveals a transition from the developing suburban edge of the plains into a high-elevation backcountry marked by numerous peaks like Centennial Cone and Mt Tom. The local transport network is characterized by narrow, winding routes such as Golden Gate Canyon Rd and School House Rd, which provide access to scattered settlements like Guy Hill and the recreational trails of Belcher Hill. Water management infrastructure, such as the Ralston Central-Long Lake Ditch, illustrates the engineering required to support the region's growth from the surrounding watersheds.