1994 Map of Hamm Canyon

About this map

Uranium Reserve lands and intensive mining operations dominate this pocket of San Miguel County during the final decade of the 20th century. The landscape is defined by the industrial geography of the Colorado Plateau, where the Dolores River and Disappointment Creek carve through the deep basins of Big Gypsum Valley and Disappointment Valley. This era of mineral extraction is meticulously documented through numerous named claims and infrastructure, including the Chile No 5 Mine, Mexico Mines, and the Carnation Mine. Networks of 4wd tracks provide access across the high ground of Cape Horn and Hamm Canyon, connecting various prospects and air shafts to the valley floors. These features illustrate the persistent search for ore and the specialized management of the Department of Energy in this resource-rich corridor.