2016 Map of Slide Mountain

About this map

Routt National Forest dominates this section of the High Rockies, where the border between Moffat and Routt Counties cuts through a landscape defined by high peaks and an intricate water management system. Elevation and water rights are central to the terrain, evidenced by the presence of the Tipton Ditch and the primary flows of Elkhead Creek and Dry Fork Little Bear Creek. Prominent summits like Slide Mountain and Buck Mountain overlook a network of seasonal trails and backcountry routes, including the Bears Ears Trail and Sawmill Trail. The map documents the vital infrastructure of the Colorado high country, specifically the McKinley Ditch Number 1 and McKinley Ditch Number 2 which divert water through Long Gulch and Cottonwood Gulch. These engineering features, alongside Anderson Reservoir, illustrate the historical and ongoing importance of water distribution in this high-altitude environment.