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2022 Map of Kelso Point

Name: 2022 Topographic Map of Kelso Point
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2022
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2022

About this map

Uncompahgre National Forest encompasses the high plateaus and carved drainage basins of this western Colorado landscape, where the Uncompahgre Plateau transitions into a series of massive benches. The map detail highlights a rugged topography defined by broad mesas such as Kelso Mesa, Love Mesa, and Sawmill Mesa, all separated by deep draws and the branching tributaries of the Escalante Cr. A particularly notable site is the Dinosaur Quarry located on the eastern edge of Dry Mesa, signaling the area's significance for paleontological research.

A network of primitive tracks and trails, including the Picket Corral Trl and Cabin Bench Area Trl, provides the only access through these high-altitude pastures and timberlands. Small upland water features like Love Lake and distinct geographical markers like Kelso Point offer critical orientation points for those navigating the backcountry. The boundary between Mesa Co and Montrose Co bisects the mesas, marking a line through land used for seasonal grazing and remote resource extraction.