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1967 Map of Cochetopa Park

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Cochetopa Park
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

Cochetopa Dome rises as a prominent landmark in this high-altitude landscape of Saguache County, where the Continental Divide winds through the Cochetopa Hills. This 1967 field-checked survey reveals a territory defined by ranching and resource management within the Gunnison National Forest. Human presence is anchored at the Quarter Circle Ranch, supported by a nearby Landing Strip and a network of Jeep Trails that navigate the drainages of Cochetopa Creek and Archuleta Creek.

The map documents early water engineering through the Smith and Ford Ditch and scattered prospects that suggest historical mineral exploration. Diverse watercourses like Mexican Joe Gulch, Los Pinos Creek, and Monchero Creek converge in this complex drainage system, illustrating the vital role of riparian corridors in the arid mountain West. This record is particularly valuable for researchers tracing land use and grazing boundaries in the late 1960s.