1953 Map of Little Cone

About this map

San Miguel River canyon dominates the northern edge of this 1953 field-checked study, where the settlement of Saw Pit marks the intersection of river transport and mountain industry. An Aerial Tramway and a Gaging Sta reflect the early 1950s infrastructure along the water, while the high country to the south is defined by Specie Mesa and Wilson Mesa. This landscape, part of the Uncompahgre National Forest, shows a complex network of water management and high-altitude access, including the Hughes Ditch and numerous routes like the Woods Lake Trail. The topography rises sharply toward the prominence of Little Cone and Flat Top Peak, with the remote Silver Pick Basin tucked into the southern reaches. The map captures a moment when the United States Atomic Energy Commission was active in the region, noting the transition from river-bottom settlements to high-elevation timber and mining terrain.