1960 Map of Horse Peak

About this map

Bates Hole dominates this interior Wyoming landscape, where the high desert terrain transitions toward the elevations of Chalk Mountain and Horse Peak. This 1960 survey documents a ranching environment defined by wide spacing between operations like Body Ranch and Kirk Ranch, reflecting the scale of land required for livestock in this arid territory. The drainage system is particularly distinct, with Stinking Creek cutting through the central basin and Lone Tree Creek following the contours of the southern hills. Positioned along the border of Natrona and Carbon Counties, the map details a network of unimproved dirt roads and light-duty paths that connected these remote homesteads to distant hubs like Casper. The presence of numerous named springs, such as those feeding Lawn Creek, illustrates the critical importance of water sources for both the survival of the ranches and the movement of cattle across the open range.