1964 Map of Baldy Mountain

About this map

San Juan National Forest defines the high-country character of this mid-century survey, where the boundary between La Plata and Archuleta counties traverses a landscape of summits and springs. The map documents an era of resource extraction and seasonal grazing, evidenced by a series of mines like the Shamrock Mines, Triple S Mine, and Medicine Mine tucked into the drainages. Navigating the terrain relied on a network of routes such as the Pine-Piedra Stock Driveway and the First Fork Trail, which connected high-altitude points like Baldy Mountain to lower meadowlands. Water sources are meticulously noted, from the Beaver Meadow Spring to Hayden Reservoir No 1, highlighting the vital nature of water rights in this mountainous region. Small settlements and camps including Shamrock Ranch and Arbogast Flats appear alongside specialized infrastructure like the Radio Tower, marking the slow introduction of modern technology to the southwestern Colorado wilderness.