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1964 Map of Rio Grande Pyramid

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Rio Grande Pyramid
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high-altitude landscape of the San Juan Mountains, marking a sharp hydrological and topographical boundary. Recorded in the mid-1960s, the terrain is dominated by the massive profile of the Rio Grande Pyramid and the distinctive geological notch known as The Window. This map captures a pristine wilderness area where the Rio Grande National Forest and San Juan National Forest meet.

A complex network of drainages, including the headwaters of the Rio Grande and Ute Creek, underscores the region's importance as a watershed. Numerous high alpine water bodies, such as Ute Lake, Flint Lakes, and Annie Lakes, are scattered throughout the basins. Foot and horse travel are represented by the extensive Pack Trail system, which remains the primary means of navigating between landmarks like Ute Ridge and Starvation Gulch.