Near South Fork in Mineral County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Great Divide
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 9, 2010
1. The Great Divide Marker
With a foot on each side of the bronze line below, you are symbolically straddling the spine of the Western Hemisphere. In North America the Divide follows the crest of the Rocky Mountains, beginning north in Alaskas Brook Range and continuing through South America to the Strait of Magellan.
Does the Continental Divide affect our lives? You bet!
Spring thaws begin as trickles, grow to gushes, and become torrents, sending water to every part of the continent: west to the Pacific, south to the Gulf of Mexico, east to the Atlantic, and north to Hudson Bay and up to the Arctic. Along the way, water - the building block of life on earth - supports nature and civilization.
Wolf Creek Pass, part of the San Juan Mountain Range, averages an annual snowfall of 460 inches - over 38 feet of snow - the first step in an amazing cycle surrounding natures spine.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 37° 28.975′ N, 106° 48.135′ W. Marker is near South Fork, Colorado, in Mineral County. It is on U.S. 160 0.2 miles County Road 402, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies, on the Continental Divide, in the San Juan Mountains, and in the San Luis Valley. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: History of a Road (here, next to this marker); Continental Divide Trail (here, next to this marker); Watchable Wildlife (approx. 15.6 miles away); Rio Grande A River of Life (approx. 15.6 miles away); A Passport Through Time (approx. 15.6 miles away); Living on the Byway (approx. 15.6 miles away).
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2020
2. The Great Divide Marker
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 9, 2010
3. View to the southeast from Lobo Overlook
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 9, 2010
4. View to the south from Lobo Overlook
The US 160 pullout with the markers is at the bottom of the mountain hidden by trees
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 9, 2010
5. View to the southwest from Lobo Overlook
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,247 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 10, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 2. submitted on November 21, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 10, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
