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1961 Map of South Peak

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of South Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

High-altitude mining operations concentrate on the western slopes of the San Isabel National Forest, where a cluster of deep shafts suggests a legacy of intense silver or gold extraction. Notable excavations including the Yosemite shaft, California Tunnel, and the Yankee Blade shaft are situated near Low Pass Gulch, illustrating the industrial footprint on this mountain landscape. The topography transitions sharply from the 12,892-foot summit of South Peak down toward the Arkansas River valley.

Transportation corridors follow the natural breaks in the terrain, evidenced by the path of the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad and an Old Railroad Grade further south. These routes, combined with the presence of the Clear Creek Reservoir, highlight the critical infrastructure required to support the remote mining districts and growing water management needs between Lake, Chaffee, and Park counties during the mid-20th century.