1956 Map of Hackett Mountain

About this map

The South Platte River carves a central path through this section of the Pike National Forest, defining a landscape where early mid-century recreational outposts met the rugged demands of the high country. Along the river’s western banks and deep within the surrounding gulches, small settlements like Platte Springs and Custer Cabins provided remote footholds for early visitors and residents. The topography is dominated by prominent peaks such as Hackett Mountain and Cedar Mountain, while a network of primitive routes including the Phantom Cr Trail and Transfer Trail trace the ridges and drainages. This 1956 survey, updated with 1970s aerial data, reveals the sparse infrastructure of the era, from the lone Mine near Crystal Creek to the outlying Wildhorn Ranch in the east, capturing the transition of the front range before more modern development reached these elevations.