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2011 Map of Whale Hill

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

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Whale Hill and Mount Manitou anchor a landscape defined by an extensive history of resource extraction in Saguache County. This 2011 survey illustrates a complex network of mining claims concentrated along the western slopes, where operations like the Whale Mine, Colorado Belle Mine, and Antoro Shaft once sought precious ores. The terrain is deeply incised by numerous gulches such as Wild Bill Gulch and Turquoise Gulch, which reveal the geological character of the district. Near the headwaters of Peterson Creek, the Hall Turquoise Mine and Villa Grove Mine stand as significant markers of the area's mineral diversity.

Industrial activity is further evidenced by the Clover Creek District Mine to the north and the Oregon Tunnel near Hayden Peak. While most labels point toward a rugged mining economy, Davidson Ranch and the small settlement of Alder suggest the persistent presence of agricultural and local residential life in the shadows of Burnt Mountain. The map serves as a detailed record of the mining infrastructure that shaped the San Luis Valley's eastern margins.