2019 Map of Wagon Wheel Gap

About this map

The Rio Grande carves through the heart of this Mineral County landscape, flanked by the dramatic cliffs of the Rio Grande Palisades. This 2019 survey documents the high-altitude terrain of the Rio Grande National Forest, where steep drainages like McKinney Gulch and Spring Gulch feed into the central river valley. The topography is defined by significant elevations, including Ute Peak and McClelland Mtn to the south, while the northern reaches transition into high mountain meadows and plateaus. Several distinct open spaces, such as Silver Park, Blue Park, and Long Park, provide breaks in the forested slopes. The settlement at Wagon Wheel Gap serves as a historic focal point, positioned where the canyon walls tighten near the confluence of Bellows Creek and the main river corridor.