2016 Map of South Fork West

About this map

The confluence of the Rio Grande and the South Fork Rio Grande serves as the focal point for this high-altitude landscape, where mountain terrain meets the burgeoning settlement of South Fork. This 2016 survey highlights a complex network of resource management and recreation within the Rio Grande National Forest, featuring the irrigation infrastructure of the Church Ditch and S Fork Highline Ditch. The map documents a mix of wilderness and development, from the rocky heights of the Rio Grande Palisades and Sentinel Peak to modern residential corridors like Blanca Vista Dr. A dense system of trails, including the Alder Bench Trail and Trout Trail, crisscrosses the topography, revealing how the region’s canyons such as Haney Canyon and Salt Canyon are navigated today. Nearby, the smaller settlement of Baxterville and various water works like the Elk Cr Number 1 Reservoir illustrate the continued importance of water control in this arid river valley.