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1953 Map of Gray Head

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Gray Head
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The San Miguel River cuts a deep path through the high plateaus of San Miguel County, framing a landscape defined by its mining and transportation history in the early 1950s. This survey, conducted in conjunction with the United States Atomic Energy Commission, highlights the critical industrial role of settlements like Vanadium and Lime. The transit network of the era is preserved through an Old Railroad Grade that winds toward Vance Junction and Illium, tracing the legacy of narrow-gauge rail that once serviced the local ore deposits.

Prominent landforms such as Wilson Mesa and Sunshine Mesa dominate the central portion of the map, while high peaks like Gray Head and Whipple Mountain stand along the northern edge. Local industry is further evidenced by the Belle Champion Mine, while recreational and agricultural life is represented by the Skyline Ranch and Cushman Lake. The entire eastern region is situated within the Uncompahgre National Forest, showcasing a rugged terrain of steep drainages like Bilk Creek and Big Bear Creek.