1960 Map of Kessler Gap

About this map

Bear Mountain dominates this portion of Goshen County, its rugged escarpments defining a landscape of high ridges and deep drainages. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the agricultural footprint of the region was tied to a complex network of irrigation channels, including the Kessler Ditch, Bear Creek Ditch, and Lovercheck Ditch, which directed water from Fox Creek and Bear Creek across the lower elevations. These features reflect the intensive water management required for ranching and farming in the Wyoming basin. Geological landmarks like Castle Rocks and Kessler Gap provide distinct navigational points, while family-named features such as Atterberry Canyon and Lovercheck Canyon suggest the local heritage of the homesteading families who settled the surrounding range. The presence of Sand Dunes north of the mountain highlights the diverse geomorphology found within this high-plains environment.