1954 Map of Big Mesa

About this map

The Gunnison River corridor is the dominant feature of this mid-century survey, specifically where it widens into the Blue Mesa Reservoir. Revisions from 1970 illustrate the impact of water management on this landscape, as the reservoir fills the valley floor once defined by the river's original course. Above the shoreline, the massive landform of Big Mesa rises toward Vabm 8744, while scattered prospects suggest the mining heritage of the surrounding slopes. Drainage patterns are intricate, with Steuben Creek, Willow Creek, and Beaver Creek feeding into the main channel. Evidence of high-altitude ranching and transit remains via the Shaw Ranch and a network of unimproved roads and a Jeep Trail that traverse the high ground between Blaine Rock and the Gunnison and Saguache county line.