1963 Map of Clyde Lake

About this map

The West Dolores River carves through this high-altitude landscape of the San Juan National Forest, where 1960s land use was defined by isolated ranching and a network of mountain trails. Miller Ranch and Cresto Ranch sit along the river corridor, serving as rare points of human habitation amidst the steep drainages of Schoonhouse Draw and Deadman Draw. High above the river valley, the terrain is marked by distinctive features such as Eagle Peak and the high waters of Clyde Lake, reachable only by a series of Pack Trails and Jeep Trails. Local geography is punctuated by numerous family-named water sources and landmarks, including Cresto Spring and Fivemile Spring, while the southern reaches descend into the vividly named Little Hell Canyon and Big Hell Canyon. The map records a moment when the regional economy was centered on livestock grazing and timber management, evidenced by the scattered reservoirs like Sunshine Reservoir and the Pipe Line crossing the Taylor Mesa area.