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1964 Map of Finger Mesa

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Finger Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The Continental Divide defines the western heights of this landscape, separating the headwaters of the Rio Grande from the northern drainage of the Gunnison National Forest. Centered on the high-altitude plateau of Finger Mesa, the area shows a mid-century network of recreation and livestock management, with a Stock Driveway and numerous Pack Trails crossing the terrain.

Lower elevations are marked by seasonal habitation and resource use at Lost Trail Ranch and Ski Hi Ranch, while the Rio Grande Reservoir and Continental Reservoir dominate the southern and eastern edges. This survey captures a moment when the San Juan Mountains served as a remote hub for backcountry exploration, evidenced by the Lost Trail Campground and various Jeep Trails that provided access to high lakes such as Heart Lake and Pearl Lakes. A lone Mine in the northwest, near Wager Gulch, points to the region's enduring history of prospecting.