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1954 Map of La Sal

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of La Sal
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Mt Peale and Mt Mellenthin dominate the high-altitude terrain of the Manti-La Sal National Forest in this mid-century survey. The landscape is defined by the sharp transition from the forested peaks to the high desert mesas of the Utah-Colorado state line. A concentration of mining activity on the eastern edge reveals the region’s mid-century uranium and vanadium boom, with numerous claims like the Uranium Queen Mine, Vanadium Queen Mine, and Firefly Mine scattered near Buckeye Creek.

Evidence of ranching and early administration is found at the original settlement of Old La Sal and the nearby La Sal Guard Sta, while the newer La Sal townsite sits at the base of the mountains. Water management for this arid environment is clearly visible through a network of high-country catchments, including Buckeye Res, Medicine Lake, and Dark Canyon Lake. The map also captures a primitive transportation network of canyon roads and a Jeep Trail crossing Canopy Gap.