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2013 Map of McCarthy Gulch

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of McCarthy Gulch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Piceance Creek and its complex network of tributaries define this rugged section of the Western Slope, where the boundary between Rio Blanco and Garfield counties cuts through a landscape of deep erosional features. The terrain is marked by dozens of named drainage systems, including McCarthy Gulch, Story Gulch, and Lichliter Gulch, illustrating the intricate natural irrigation and topographic challenges of the region.

Surface infrastructure is minimal, consisting primarily of Co Road 5 and Cow Creek Rd, which provide access to the high-elevation drainages of Bear Cabin Gulch and Spring Gulch. The southern portion of the map transitions into the watershed of the Middle Fork Parachute Creek, reflecting the high-desert plateaus that characterize this part of Colorado. The density of named gulches suggests a history of local land use, likely tied to grazing or resource management in the areas surrounding Schutte Creek and Cow Creek.