2001 Map of Victoria Lake

About this map

The Continental Divide serves as the structural spine of this high-altitude landscape, marking the boundary between the San Juan National Forest and the Rio Grande National Forest. Much of the area is preserved within the South San Juan Wilderness, where dramatic elevation changes define the drainages of the South Fork Conejos River and Hansen Creek. High alpine lakes like Victoria Lake, Laguna Ruibal, and Chama Lake are connected by a network of historic backcountry routes, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Victoria Trail. To the southwest, the boundary of the historic Tierra Amarilla Grant intersects the jagged peaks of Gramps Peak and Charleys Peak, illustrating the intersection of Spanish land grant history with federal forest management at the turn of the 21st century.