1953 Map of Little Cone

About this map

Little Cone stands as the dominant topographical landmark in this high-altitude section of the Uncompahgre National Forest during the early 1950s. The landscape is defined by broad tablelands including Specie Mesa and Wilson Mesa, which are deeply incised by the drainage systems of Specie Creek, Fall Creek, and the San Miguel River. The settlement of Saw Pit sits along the river at the northern edge, serving as a rare point of habitation in a region primarily used for timber, grazing, and resource extraction. Evidence of the area's mining history is found in the Silver Pick Basin at the southern margin. The presence of numerous labeled pack trails and a gaging station suggests a rugged environment where water management and backcountry access were primary concerns for the United States Atomic Energy Commission and the Geological Survey at the time of this field check.