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1962 Map of Drake

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Drake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Big Thompson River carves a deep path through the canyon on this 1984 update, documenting the landscape of the Roosevelt National Forest as it appeared in the early 1960s with later revisions. The settlement of Drake sits at the confluence with the North Fork Big Thompson River, serving as a central hub for canyon life. Significant infrastructure like the Big Thompson Canyon Aqueduct is visible, tracing the topography alongside Midway and Waltonia.

Local industry and recreation are represented by the Hyatt Mine and the State Fish Hatchery north of Drake. The map details many gulches and peaks that define the area, including Palisade Mountain and Sheep Mountain. For those interested in recreation history, the map shows Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park and public land boundaries that have shaped Larimer County development. Rugged transportation routes like the Storm Mtn Trail (Pack) suggest the difficulty of navigating this terrain before modern improvements.