1984 Map of Victoria Lake

About this map

The Continental Divide snake through this high-altitude landscape, marking the hydrological crest where the Rio Grande National Forest meets the San Juan National Forest. This 1984 survey documents a wilderness terrain defined by glacial lakes and steep alpine drainages, including the headwaters of the South Fork Conejos River and the East Fork Rio Chama. The presence of the Tierra Amarilla Grant Boundary in the southwest corner indicates the historical intersection of private land grants and public federal lands in the high mountains. High peaks like Charleys Peak and Gramos Peak overlook a network of seasonal alpine pastures such as Fourth Meadows and Elk Meadows, which are connected only by an intricate system of a Pack Trail. This map captures the remote character of the South San Juan Wilderness before modern digital mapping, showcasing named features like Victoria Lake and Dipping Lakes.