1957 Map of Grizzly Ridge

About this map

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument dominates this mid-century topographic survey, revealing the dramatic verticality of the canyon floor where the Gunnison River carves through Black Mesa and Vernal Mesa. The map illustrates a landscape of extreme elevation changes, from the sheer depths at The Narrows and Chasm View to the high points of Grizzly Ridge and Green Mtn. This era shows the intricate water management required for the surrounding plateau, specifically the presence of the Gunnison Tunnel and the Vernal Mesa Ditch, which directed water towards agricultural areas like Fruitland and Orchard Corner. The inclusion of the Curecanti National Recreational Area reflects the evolving federal management of these lands, while landmarks such as the North Rim Ranger Sta and East Portal mark the thin line of human infrastructure in this steep terrain.