1961 Map of Marcellina Mountain

About this map

Marcellina Mtn dominates the high-altitude landscape of this 1961 survey, standing at the boundary of the White River National Forest and Gunnison National Forest. The map documents a rugged alpine wilderness defined by a complex network of glacial basins and steep ridges, including Swan Basin, Silver Basin, and Gold Basin. The Ruby Range cuts through the eastern edge, culminating at Ruby Peak. Human activity is sparse, recorded primarily through isolated markers of the ranching and surveying history of the area. The West Side Cow Camp is the sole named settlement, while various pack and jeep trails provide the only navigation through terrain marked by geological curiosities like the Devils Stairway and the dramatic spine of The Dyke. Extensive drainages such as Ruby Anthracite Creek and Dark Canyon Creek underscore the area's role as a vital watershed within the Colorado high country.