2016 Map of Sargents Mesa

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high-altitude landscape of Saguache County, forming the boundary between the Gunnison National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande National Forest to the south. The area is dominated by the broad summit of Sargents Mesa and the peak of Baldy, where several alpine drainage systems originate, including Dutchman Cr and Big Bend Cr. This 2016 survey documents a complex network of backcountry routes, such as the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Baldy Lake Trail, which provides access to the remote waters of Baldy Lake. The terrain is characterized by high meadows like Firebox Park and deep drainages such as Houghland Gulch, reflecting the wilderness character of the Southern Rockies at the start of the twenty-first century.