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1965 Map of West Elk Peak

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of West Elk Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

West Elk Peak dominates this high-altitude landscape within the Gunnison National Forest, a terrain defined by steep drainage basins and prominent summits. This 1965 field-checked survey captures the intricate topography of the West Elk Wilderness, where elevations are marked by a series of peaks including North Baldy Mtn, Middle Baldy Mountain, and South Baldy Mountain. The presence of numerous pack trails winding through West Elk Basin and across Storm Pass illustrates the reliance on traditional routes for navigating this protected backcountry.

Water plays a critical role in the geography of the quadrangle, with the headwaters of East Soap Creek, Mill-Castle Creek, and Beaver Creek carving deep valleys. Notable landmarks like The Castles and Rainbow Lake, which features a designated spillway, provide distinct points of reference for researchers of mountain hydrology or local recreational history. The map also delineates the complex wilderness boundary, marking the limits of this managed wilderness area during the mid-1960s.