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1953 Map of Gray Head

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Gray Head
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The San Miguel River carves a deep valley through the high country of the Uncompahgre National Forest, revealing a landscape shaped by early mountain industry and transportation. Tiny settlements like Saw Pit, Vanadium, and Ilium dot the riverbanks, marking the sites of former mining and milling operations. This 1953 field-checked survey, produced in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission, highlights the region's mineral importance, though notes that features like the Belle Champion Mine were inactive at the time of mapping.

Evidence of the area's transition from heavy industry to mountain recreation appears in the tracks of the Old Railroad Grade and the Wilson Mesa Trail, which cross high plateaus like Wilson Mesa and Sunshine Mesa. Notable local landmarks include the Skyline Ranch and Sunshine Campground near Cushman Lake, illustrating the post-war shift toward seasonal ranching and wilderness access in this corner of San Miguel County.