1962 Map of Mack

About this map

The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad tracks cut a diagonal path across this high desert landscape, connecting the small agricultural and industrial outposts of Mack, Loma, and Gilsonite. This early 1960s survey illustrates a region shaped by complex irrigation efforts, notably the Grand Valley Canal and the Kiefer Extension Grand Valley Canal, which brought water to the arid flats north of the Colorado River. South of the river, the terrain shifts abruptly into a labyrinth of deep sandstone drainages, including Horsethief Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, and Pollock Canyon. Industrial activity is evident at the Refinery near Gilsonite and several Gravel Pit operations, while the Old Ute Trail provides a link to the area's pre-settlement history as it winds through the southern canyonlands.