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2013 Map of Spicer Peak

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Spicer Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Spicer sits at a critical junction of early ranching and water management along the border of Grand and Jackson counties. This high-altitude landscape is defined by an extensive network of irrigation infrastructure, where the Arapaho Ditch, Eureka Ditch, and Mexican Ditch divert alpine runoff to support local livestock operations. Named family holdings like the Van Valkenburg Ranch and the Chas Murphy Ranch illustrate the era's reliance on these water rights to maintain high-country pastures.

The topography transitions from the lower meadows into the high peaks of the Rabbit Ears Range. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail traverses the southwestern terrain, crossing through Arapaho Pass and skirting Ironclad Mountain. This area is largely managed by the Routt National Forest and Arapaho National Forest, preserving the wild character of landmarks like Spicer Peak and Little Haystack Mountain for modern recreation.