1974 Map of La Sal

About this map

Old La Sal and the La Sal Guard Sta anchor the high-altitude landscape of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, where the topography transitions from the dramatic peaks of Mt Peale and Mt Mellenthin down to the complex canyon systems of Dark Canyon and Trinity Canyon. The map records a significant mid-century mining landscape along the Utah-Colorado border, particularly focused on uranium and vanadium extraction. Numerous operations such as the Vanadium Queen Mine, Uranium Girl Mine, and Gray Dawn Mine are clustered near Lion Creek and Wray Mesa Mine. This density of named claims suggests a period of intense prospecting and development in the eastern portion of the quadrangle. Water management is evident through a network of high-country reservoirs and springs, including Buckeye Res and Blue Lake, supporting both the local ranching at Pine Lodge Ranch and the industrial needs of the surrounding mines.