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2011 Map of West Elk Peak

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of West Elk Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

West Elk Peak and the surrounding high-elevation geography of Gunnison County define this 2011 survey. The landscape is characterized by a series of prominent peaks and drainage basins, including the distinctive The Castles and a trio of summits: North Baldy Mountain, Middle Baldy Mountain, and South Baldy Mountain. This area represents a complex watershed where numerous tributaries originate, such as East Steuben Creek and West Beaver Creek, flowing through deep incisions like Sixmile Gulch and Deep Hollow.

Evidence of high-country land management and natural collection points appears in features like Rainbow Lake and the Highline Ditch near the eastern margin. The network of seasonal streams and passes, such as Storm Pass between Mill Basin and South Castle Creek, illustrates the traditional routes used to navigate this part of the West Elk Mountains. This map serves as a precise record of the terrain as it appeared in the early 21st century, prior to more recent ecological shifts.