1969 Map of Bear Creek

About this map

San Isabel National Forest dominates this high-altitude landscape along the border of Custer and Huerfano counties, where the drainage systems of Bear Creek and its many tributaries carve through the eastern slopes of Greenhorn Mountain. The 1969 field survey captures a transition between the elevated peaks and the deep basin of Devils Hole, where Williams Creek and Reveille Creek converge. The human footprint is sparse, primarily confined to the winding Gardner Road and a network of specialized routes including the Horse Trail and Pack Trail. Small-scale resource exploration is evident in scattered prospects and a corral, suggesting a landscape utilized for seasonal grazing and prospecting. Numerous water sources like Blue Spring and Froze Creek provided vital points for early travelers moving through the high-country gaps.