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1963 Map of Lost Lake

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Lost Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Little Cimarron River and its high-elevation tributaries define this landscape within the Uncompahgre National Forest during the early 1960s. The area is characterized by isolated outposts and high-country water management, with Meaker Ranch and Miles Ranch marking the northern valley, while several remote dwellings like Sampson Cabin and Reynolds Cabin are tucked into the drainages of Blue Creek and its forks.

The presence of scattered reservoirs and lakes, including Fitzpatrick Reservoir, Burnt Lake, and the namesake Lost Lake, indicates the importance of water storage for ranching or forestry at these elevations. Navigation through the complex terrain of Horse Mesa and High Mesa relied on unimproved roads and trails, such as the path crossing at Burro Bridge, providing a detailed look at the seasonal infrastructure of the Gunnison and Montrose county border region.