1964 Map of Finger Mesa

About this map

Continental Divide winds through the high-elevation landscape of Hinsdale County, defining the drainage patterns between the Gunnison and Rio Grande National Forests. This survey captures the upper reaches of the Rio Grande as it flows into the Rio Grande Reservoir and Continental Reservoir, illustrating the critical role of these high-basin catchments. Evidence of early land use and seasonal habitation is centered around the Lost Trail Ranch and Ski Hi Ranch in the southwestern quadrant, while a lone Mine in the northwest near Wager Gulch speaks to the region's mineral prospecting history. The terrain is dominated by Finger Mesa and a dense network of alpine water bodies, including the Hermit Lakes and Castle Rock Lake. Pack trails such as the West Lost Trail and Lost Trail provide the primary historical access through these steep basins, long before more modernized infrastructure reached the Weminuche Wilderness.