1961 Map of Chalk Mountain

About this map

Chalk Mountain and the high-altitude hydrology of the Western Slope define this 1961 landscape, revised in the early 1980s. The map reveals an intricate network of irrigation and storage within the Grand Mesa National Forest and Gunnison National Forest. Ranching and water management history is etched into the terrain through a remarkable collection of small reservoirs with colorful local names, including Skimmed Milk Res, Holy Terror Res, and Dogfish Reservoir. This system, supported by the Overland Ditch, reflects the vital role of snowmelt capture for downstream agriculture. Movement through the peaks of Priest Mountain and Mt Hatten is shown via a network of routes such as the Doughty Trail and West Leroux Trail, providing a clear record of land use before the modern era of backcountry recreation was fully established.