2011 Map of Snowdon Peak

About this map

Needleton sits along the Animas River at the heart of this high-altitude landscape, where deep drainages like Watertank Canyon and Tenmile Creek carve through the West Needle Mountains. The presence of the Elk Park Mine and Andrus Mine underscores a history of mineral exploration in the shadow of giants like Snowdon Peak and Pigeon Peak. Near the northern border, transportation and recreation converge at Molas Pass, a significant crossing point between Molas Lake and Little Molas Lake. The map reveals a complex network of high-country water features, from the Duck Slough Dam at Andrews Lake to the alpine Ruby Lake and Garfield Lake. This high-altitude terrain is defined by its numbered summits and named peaks, including Needle Mountains Peak Fourteen and The Index, illustrating the challenging geography that historically dictated movement through the San Juan region.