2013 Map of Calamity Ridge

About this map

Calamity Ridge defines the high ground of this Rio Blanco County landscape, where the plateau is deeply dissected by a network of gulches and draws. These drainage patterns, including Yanks Gulch and Shaft Gulch, dictate the placement of human activity in this arid region of western Colorado. The map reveals a history of seasonal or specialized occupation through several named sites such as Caldwell Camp, Kenney Camp, and structures like Hegwer Cabin. Large-scale natural features like the Cathedral Bluffs and The Shoulder stand as significant landmarks for those navigating the backcountry. Water sources, vital for both early settlers and wildlife, are marked at Indian Springs Draw and along the various forks of East Fork Greasewood Creek and Barcus Creek. This terrain remains largely served by a network of county routes, such as Co Road 89, which follow the natural contours of the canyons.