1958 Map of Fall River Pass

About this map

The Continental Divide carves a jagged path through this high-altitude landscape, separating the headwaters of the Colorado River in the Kawuneeche Valley from the eastern-flowing Cache la Poudre River. This late-1950s record documents the intensive water management of the era, most notably the Grand Ditch which skirts the western slopes of Mount Neota and Specimen Mountain to divert runoff. Settlement is centered around the valley floor, featuring the Phantom Valley Ranch and the Phantom Valley Trading Post, while the ghost of the silver mining era is preserved at the Lulu City (Site) near the Colorado River. The map captures the infrastructure of the wilderness management during this period, including the La Poudre Pass Ranger Station and various camps such as the Milner Pass Road Camp. Significant landmarks like Little Yellowstone and The Crater highlight the unique geological formations that defined this section of Rocky Mountain National Park as it was being developed for mid-century tourism.