1962 Map of Mellen Hill

About this map

Coal Oil Basin and the adjacent Raven Ridge characterize this high-desert landscape in northwestern Colorado during the early 1960s. The map captures a transition between protected wilderness and industrial activity, with the southern boundary of Dinosaur National Monument clipping the northwest corner, while the Rangel Field and an extensive Pipeline network dominate the southern sections. This era of resource extraction is marked by infrastructure like the Raven Radio Tower and a remote Landing Strip situated near Dripping Rock Creek. Seasonal water management is evident through features such as Dripping Rock Reservoir, while the presence of numerous jeep trails suggests a terrain navigated by work crews and surveyors. The boundary between Moffat and Rio Blanco counties bisects the northern half of the sheet, cutting across drainage systems like Twin Wash and Spencer Draw.