1964 Map of Snowdon Peak

About this map

Needle Mountains and the Grenadier Range dominate this high-altitude landscape within the San Juan National Forest as it was surveyed in the early 1960s. The narrow-gauge Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad follows the steep course of the Animas River, providing a vital transit corridor through the San Juan Mountains. The settlement at Needleton serves as a key stopping point along the tracks, featuring the Needleton Water Tank and proximity to Watertank Canyon. To the north, Molas Pass provides passage near Molas Lake and Molas Park, while the high peaks of Snowdon Peak, Twilight Peak, and Pigeon Peak define the horizon. This map reveals the era's reliance on rail transport for accessing the mountain interior, showing the connection between remote settlements and the rugged drainage systems of Lime Creek and Tenmile Creek.