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2022 Map of Whale Hill

Name: 2022 Topographic Map of Whale Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2022
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2022

About this map

Rio Grande National Forest dominates this landscape in the northern San Luis Valley, where high-altitude peaks give way to deep drainages. The area is defined by a dense network of gulches and ridges, including Copper Gulch, Wild Bill Gulch, and Greenback Gulch. These landforms reveal a history of resource extraction and rugged access, as shown by the various trails like Kelly Creek Trl and Cottonwood Trl that wind through the peaks of Whale Hill and Hayden Peak.

In the northeast, the settlement of Alder sits near the course of San Luis Cr, marking one of the few points of low-elevation development. The map details the transition from the irrigated valley floors near Peterson Cr to the high mountain summits like Mt Manitou and Elkhorn Peak. This survey provides a clear view of the complex hydrology of the region, from the headwaters of Alder Cr to the sprawling descent of Center Ridge.