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Rationale for Headwaters Hill


This page explains:
How I became aware of this mountain;
Why we think the mountain should have a name; and
Why we think the mountain's name should be "Headwaters Hill".


How did I become aware of the significance of this mountain?

I'm interested in geography, rivers, watersheds, and so forth. This has led to a curiosity about "triple divides". I don't much care for the term "triple divide", because it's too understated, and because it implies a linear feature instead of a point. But it's the only term I know of that is used to describe a geographical location which is common to three watersheds. In other words, rainwater or melting snow on a triple divide will drain off into three separate streams. Triple divides occur all over the place - but in most cases, the three watersheds are only minor parts of the same major watershed, and the three streams all eventually flow into the same river. However, if you look along a major divide, you can find some points which drain to three completely different basins. I find this intellectually stimulating. OK, maybe that's weird - what can I say? I'm a cartographer - it's in my blood.

So anyway, for those of you still with me... Naturally, one might expect there to be some pretty major triple divides along the Continental Divide, right? The Continental Divide happens to run through the state where I live: Colorado. So, sometime in 1997, I was looking at a map of Colorado, trying to locate interesting triple divides. (McNamee Peak, for example, is pretty neat. Located near Leadville, its three faces drain into three different rivers: the Colorado, the South Platte, and the Arkansas. Of course, the Platte and the Arkansas are both tributaries of the Mississippi, so they do eventually meet - although not until they flow through southeastern Arkansas state.)

But I got to wondering whether Colorado has any triple divides for watersheds that never meet? And sure enough, I noticed the next major one to the south meets that criteria: its slopes drain into the Colorado, the Arkansas, and the Rio Grande. Pretty cool!

 

Why should this mountain be recognized with a name?

The map I was viewing at the time was not particularly detailed, but I saw the name "Windy Peak" in the immediate area, and I assumed that was the mountain which formed the triple divide. Not until later (upon a closer inspection of the corresponding 7.5 minute USGS quads) did I realize that Windy Peak was actually the next peak south along the Continental Divide (see map). The mountain that actually formed the triple divide did not have a name! I couldn't believe it... What an unfortunate oversight!

Since then, it's become a goal of mine to give this peak an officially recognized name. From what I can tell, there are only four other spots in the entire continental U.S. that can make the same claim (see map). Any place this geographically unique deserves a name - and it's my belief that its name should immediately convey its significance to the map reader. That's why our suggestion is "Headwaters Hill".


Why should this mountain be named "Headwaters Hill"?

"Headwaters", because the headwaters flowing down from this mountain are nearly unique, in that they never meet. Also because this mountain serves as the "apex" of the area known as the "Headwaters Region of the Southwest" (refer to George Sibley's web page - or this copy, if that link is broken.)

But why "Hill"? Why not "Peak" or "Mountain"? Well, I believe part of the reason nobody has named this mountain is because of its appearance. I mean, Windy Peak - the next mountain down the ridge - is only 23 feet higher. Looking south from Marshall Pass, the two mountains - about three miles in the distance - look like twins (see photo below).

So why does only one of them have a name? I think it's because, as you get closer, Windy Peak has a somewhat distinctive appearance. It looks like a mountain: a typical bald summit with rocky outcroppings. On the other hand, Headwaters Hill - even though it's nearly 12,000 feet above sea level - has evergreens covering much of its crest. There are no rocks or cliffs at the summit. From many angles, this tends to make the mountain look more like a gentle hill. As a matter of fact, it really is a very easy climb to the summit from the Continental Divide Trail.

I can respect this. The terms "peak" or "mountain" might convey a bit too much sense of "monumental" for this particular feature. Plus, "Hill" has a nice alliteration with "Headwaters". We think it's a pleasant-sounding name which rolls easily off the tongue.

So, that's our rationale. If you support our proposal to name this mountain Headwaters Hill, may we ask you to fill out a brief form? We sincerely appreciate comments from anyone, but we particularly crave feedback from residents in the area immediately surrounding the mountain: Salida, Poncha Springs, Gunnison, Sargents, Saguache, and so on. Eventually we intend to submit our proposal to the US Board of Geographic Names, which is the organization that bestows official recognition of placenames. One of the Board's most important criteria is whether there is any local support for usage of the name in question. So, please - lend a hand!

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Page last updated 04 January 2000.

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