2011 Map of Storm King Peak

About this map

The Needle Mountains and Grenadier Range dominate this high-altitude landscape, where numerous peaks over 13,000 feet are identified simply by number, such as Needle Mountains Peak One through Needle Mountains Peak Nine. This 2011 survey documents a concentrated pocket of historic mining activity near Hunchback Pass, featuring the Little May Mine, Gold Bug Mine, Golden Shear Group Mine, and Good Hope Mine. This mining cluster suggests early 20th-century exploration near the headwaters of Bear Creek. The terrain is characterized by alpine hydrology, with dozens of high-elevation water bodies like Vallecito Lake, Leviathan Lake, and Balsam Lake feeding complex drainage systems including Vallecito Creek and Tenmile Creek. Prominent landmarks such as The Guardian and Gray Needle serve as distinct navigational points within this complex topography.