1963 Map of Alpine Plateau

About this map

The Lake Fork Gunnison River carves a deep valley through this high-altitude landscape, serving as the primary corridor for movement and settlement. Along its banks, established homesteads such as Wilson Ranch, Thomas Ranch, and Ute Trail Ranch illustrate the mid-century ranching footprint in this remote stretch of Colorado. High above the river, the Alpine Plateau and the peaks of Baldy dominate the terrain, while the Pack Driveway and several Jeep Trails suggest the persistent use of seasonal routes for livestock and access. Water management is a key feature of the valley floor, evidenced by the No 2 Thompson Ditch near Thompson Ranch. This 1963 survey, later updated in the early 1980s, documents the area just as the Big Blue Wilderness was being defined within the broader Uncompahgre National Forest, capturing a moment before modern recreation heavily altered these traditional working landscapes.