1956 Map of Hackett Mountain

About this map

The South Platte River carves through the heart of this mid-century landscape in the Pike National Forest, defining the rugged geography along the border of Park and Teller counties. In the mid-1950s, this area was characterized by a network of primitive access points and small outposts like Wildhorn Ranch and Custer Cabins. The survey captures a high-elevation backcountry accessible primarily by routes like the Longwater Trail and Transfer Trail, where numerous Beaver Ponds are mapped along drainage systems like Beaver Creek and Metberry Gulch. Higher elevations are anchored by prominent landmarks such as Hackett Mountain and Cedar Mountain. The presence of a Dam on the river and scattered markers for a Mine reflect the era's localized water management and resource exploration within the canyon-heavy terrain south of Platte Springs.