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2010 Map of Russell

Name: 2010 Topographic Map of Russell
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2010
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2010

About this map

Sangre de Cristo Creek serves as the primary drainage through this mountainous corridor of Costilla County, carving a path through high-elevation terrain punctuated by mining history. The small settlement of Russell sits near the confluence of Placer Creek, marking a junction where the valley widens. Evidence of early twentieth-century extraction is scattered across the landscape, particularly in the northern reaches where several claims are concentrated. These include the Lone Star of the West Mine and the Monte Cristo Mine, alongside the Midnight Mine and Paul H Mine further east.

Southward, the topography transitions toward the settlement of Sierra, situated near the headwaters of Wagon Creek. The landscape is deeply incised by numerous gulches and canyons, such as Gomer Gulch and Coyote Canyon, reflecting a complex hydrology feeding into the larger Ute and Bear Creek systems. The map illustrates a network of named local roads and mountain tracks like Forbes-Park Rd and Wagon Mesa Loop, which provide access to these historically significant mining and ranching areas.