2019 Map of Whale Hill

About this map

The boundary between the Rio Grande National Forest and San Isabel National Forest bisects this high-elevation landscape in Saguache County. The terrain is defined by a series of prominent summits including Hayden Peak, Mt Manitou, and the namesake Whale Hill, which rise above deep drainage systems such as Rawley Gulch and Chloride Gulch. The small settlement of Alder sits in the northern reaches of the quadrangle along the valley of Alder Creek, serving as a waypoint near where San Luis Creek flows toward the basin. The map reveals a complex network of canyons and ridges, including Center Ridge and Burnt Mtn, carved by seasonal waterways like Kelly Creek and Cottonwood Creek. This area illustrates the transition from the high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo and Sawatch ranges down toward the San Luis Valley floor, with old forest roads such as Co RD uu52 providing access to the rugged interior.