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1973 Map of Government Springs

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Government Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Uncompahgre National Forest dominates this landscape along the border of Montrose and Ouray counties, where deep drainage systems like Happy Canyon and Dolores Canyon carve through the high terrain. The map documents a network of water sources vital to the region, including Branson Spring, Brown Spring, and the namesake Government Springs. High-altitude routes such as the Old Paradox Road and Dave Wood Road traverse the ridges, reflecting the area's history of movement through difficult mountain passes.

Inland from the prominent Mesa, the terrain is defined by the convergence of several waterways, including Devinny Creek and Cottonwood Creek. The inclusion of Dewdrop Springs and East Fork Spring Creek highlights the intricate hydrology of the forest. This survey provides a look at the backcountry infrastructure of the early 1970s, from established roads to remote Pack Trails used for navigating the steep canyons and timbered slopes.