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1956 Map of Boettcher Lake

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Boettcher Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The North Fork North Platte River valley in Jackson County anchors this 1956 field-checked survey, showing a landscape defined by ranching and early mountain recreation. Settlers established several homesteads along the river's path, including the Monahan Homestead and the Finiau Homestead, while the Monahan Coal Mine indicates early efforts at resource extraction in this high-altitude terrain. The presence of Fort Boettcher (Resort) and Boettcher Ranch suggests the importance of water access for both agriculture and tourism.

Water management is prominent across the sheet, with an extensive network of irrigation features like Hill Ditch No 2, Zirkel Ditch, and Shafer Ditch carving through the slopes. To the west, the topography rises sharply into the Routt National Forest, where landmarks like Fryingpan Hill, Blue Lake, and Bear Mountain dominate the skyline. High trails, such as the Grizzly Helena Trail, trace the transition from the river bottom to the high mountain peaks.