1963 Map of Elk Knob

About this map

Gunnison National Forest and White River National Forest converge in this high-altitude landscape where the headwaters of the Muddy Creek drainage system define the topography. The 1963 survey captures a territory managed for watershed and timber, marked by complex water systems such as North Fork Muddy Creek and Little Muddy Creek. Human presence is primarily represented by isolated outposts like Tolan Place and Olson Place, and a network of primitive transportation routes including a Pack Trail and Jeep Trail. Higher elevations are punctuated by notable landmarks like Elk Knob and Stove Basin, while a Gaging Sta on the creek indicates the importance of monitoring mountain runoff for downstream water management. This map provides a detailed view of the high-country transition between Gunnison, Delta, and Pitkin counties before modern recreation reshaped the mountain West.