1957 Map of Byers Peak

About this map

The high ridge of the Continental Divide defines the southeastern corner of this landscape, separating the headwaters of the West Fork Clear Creek from the vast drainage basins of the Arapaho National Forest. This 1950s terrain is characterized by a complex network of alpine peaks and glacial basins, dominated by the massif of Byers Peak and the high summit of Mt Nystrom. The map documents significant mid-century water management and mining infrastructure, notably the St Louis Creek Aqueduct and the Bobtail Aqueduct which traverse the steep slopes to capture snowmelt. At the boundary of Grand and Clear Creek counties, the Jones Pass Tunnel and the Bobtail Mine reflect the era's industrial activity in this high-altitude environment, while a web of trails like the Byers Peak Trail provide access to remote basins such as St Louis Lake.