1981 Map of Douglas Pass

About this map

Douglas Pass serves as the central focal point of this high-altitude landscape in Western Colorado, where the crossing divides the drainages of Douglas Creek and the upper reaches of Texas Creek. The terrain is defined by the sharp escarpments of the Roan Plateau and the Cathedral Bluffs, illustrating the complex drainage patterns of the Piceance Basin during the early 1980s. A notable industrial presence is indicated by the Naval Oil Shale Reserve in the southeast, highlighting the region's historical importance to national energy interests. Localized water sources, critical for both ranching and early development, are mapped with precision, including Oil Spring, Wild Rose Spring, and Big Cedar Spring. To the west, Baxter Pass provides another high-elevation gateway, while named features like Lookout Mountain and Twin Buttes provide distinct landmarks across the ridgelines of Rio Blanco and Garfield counties.