1958 Map of Shadow Mountain

About this map

The massive water management projects of the mid-20th century define this Colorado high-country landscape, where the Alva B Adams Tunnel and Shadow Mountain Dam regulate the flow between three major reservoirs. Shadow Mountain Lake and Granby Lake dominate the valley floor, reshaping the path of the Colorado River and creating numerous islands like Elephant Island and Harvey Island. This survey, updated in the late 1970s, captures the region's dual identity as a critical hydraulic resource and a recreational hub within the Shadow Mountain National Recreation Area. From the settlement of Grand Lake at the north end to the Roaring Fork Campground in the south, the map details the infrastructure supporting both park management and wilderness access. Notable landmarks such as the Hilltop Ranger Sta, Adams Falls, and the West Portal of the tunnel system highlight the technical and administrative footprint on the edge of the Rocky Mountain National Park.