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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

San Miguel River canyon defines the topography of this early 1950s survey, showing a landscape shaped by mining and mountainous terrain. Small settlements like Saw Pit, Vanadium, and Ilium line the river valley and rail corridor, reflecting the area's industrial history. While the map notes that all mining features were inactive at the time of the field check, the presence of the Belle Champion Mine and the Old Railroad Grade provides clear evidence of the extractive economy that once dominated these slopes.

High plateaus such as Wilson Mesa and Sunshine Mesa provide a contrast to the deep canyons of Bilk Creek and Deep Creek. The map documents the integration of recreation and ranching into the forest lands, evidenced by Skyline Ranch, Cushman Lake, and the Sunshine Campground near the Uncompahgre National Forest boundary. This era captures the region as it transitioned from a strictly mining focus toward more modern uses of the high country.