2013 Map of Rio Grande Pyramid

About this map

The Continental Divide bisects this high-elevation landscape, where the headwaters of the Rio Grande emerge among the ridges of the Rio Grande National Forest and San Juan National Forest. The geography is defined by prominent landmarks such as the Rio Grande Pyramid and the distinct pass known as The Window. This region lacks permanent settlements, instead being defined by a dense network of backcountry routes used for high-altitude traverse. Trails like Beartown Trail 869 and Ute Creek Trail 819 link remote water features including Ute Lake, Black Lake, and the Flint Lakes. The complex intersection of San Juan, Hinsdale, and La Plata counties occurs here, marking a rugged meeting point where names like Starvation Gulch and Rincon La Vaca reflect the historical realities of early mountain transit and livestock grazing.