Loading map...

1960 Map of Beck Mountain

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Beck Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Range meet the expansive Wet Mountain Valley in this 1960 field-checked survey of Custer County. High-altitude landmarks like Snowslide Mountain and Blueberry Peak dominate the western portion, situated within the San Isabel National Forest. This landscape is defined by the transition from steep peaks to the ranching country below, where Henrich Ranch and the Beck School mark the early settlement footprint of the valley floor.

Navigation through this high country relied on a network of trails and primitive routes, such as the Rainbow Trail and the Music Pass Trail, which crosses Music Pass to connect different drainages. The hydrology is particularly detailed, showing the origins of Grape Creek and Cottonwood Creek, along with named springs and falls like Crystal Falls. This map illustrates the intersection of federal forest management and private land use in the mid-20th century.