1956 Map of Buffalo Peak

About this map

Buffalo Peak anchors this high-country landscape in the mid-1950s, overlooking a series of family-named ranching operations including Buffalo Ranch, Shamrock Ranch, and Wheatley Ranch. The map illustrates a complex network of water management features essential for livestock in this environment, such as the Vinegar Res Slack-Weiss Reservoir and Two Ledge Reservoir. To the south, the topography transitions into the protected lands of the Routt National Forest, where steep terrain is defined by Arapaho Ridge and Green Ridge. The wilderness character of the forest is evident in the cluster of remote alpine waters, including the Arapaho Lakes, Disappointment Lake, and Kathleen Lake. Movement through these heights is marked by historic paths like the Buffalo Pass and the Arapaho Creek Trail, which follow the natural drainage patterns of Coyote Creek and Buffalo Creek.