2011 Map of Vail Pass

About this map

Wheeler Junction serves as a focal point in this high-altitude landscape, where the confluence of Tenmile Creek and West Tenmile Creek meets the modern path of Interstate 70. The map documents the complex infrastructure required to traverse the Continental Divide region, featuring the Vail Pass - Tenmile route and the steep gradients of Vail Pass. Industrial history is noted through the Vail Pass Mine and Eagle Number One Mine, while recreational development is evident at the Black Lakes Campground and surrounding water bodies like Black Lake Number 2 and Officers Gulch Pond. The terrain is defined by a series of named peaks and passes, including Buffalo Mountain, Uneva Peak, and Red Buffalo Pass, which dictate the drainage patterns of Gore Creek and its many tributaries. This survey captures the intersection of heavy transit corridors and mountain wilderness at the start of the 21st century.