1957 Map of Bowen Mountain

About this map

The Continental Divide carves a dramatic path through this high-altitude landscape where the Never Summer Mountains meet the borders of the Routt National Forest, Arapaho National Forest, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Based on field checks in 1957, the map documents a remote alpine environment defined by steep drainages like Baker Gulch and Bowen Gulch. A network of pack trails, including the Wolverine Pack Trail and the Stillwater Pack Trail, provides the primary access to the summits of Bowen Mountain and Cascade Mountain. These routes, along with the Gilsonite Trail, suggest a landscape historically utilized for exploration and early resource assessment. The presence of numerous high-elevation water bodies, such as Ruby Lake and Lost Lake, highlights the glacial heritage of the terrain near the headwaters of the Illinois River.