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2001 Map of Victoria Lake

Name: 2001 Topographic Map of Victoria Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2005
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2005

About this map

The Continental Divide forms a massive high-altitude spine across this section of southern Colorado, marking the boundary between the Rio Grande National Forest and the San Juan National Forest. This landscape is dominated by the sprawling South San Juan Wilderness, where ancient glacial activity is evidenced by high-mountain basins holding Victoria Lake, Burro Lake, and Laguna Reubal. The southwestern portion of the map is defined by the historic boundaries of the Pierra Amarilla Grant, reflecting early land division patterns in the San Juan Mountains.

Water moves from these heights through a network of steep drainages, including the South Fork Conejos River and the headwaters of Archuleta Creek. High peaks like Charleys Peak and Grams Peak tower over the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which follows the crest of the divide. The area remains focused on backcountry access, with routes such as the Victoria Lake Trail and Glacier Trail providing the primary infrastructure through the deep canyons of Cañon Verde and Cañon Escondido.