1983 Map of Montrose

About this map

The Uncompahgre River valley serves as the central corridor for this 1980s-era topographic study, anchored by the regional hub of Montrose. To the south, the landscape transforms into the high-alpine terrain of the San Juan Mountains, where a high concentration of mining claims like the Camp Bird Mine, Old Maid Mine, and Revenue Mine define the area around Ouray and Portland. This era shows the developed footprint of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, featuring the massive Blue Mesa Reservoir and the sheer depths of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The map documents a complex network of forest access and mountain passes, including the well-known Slumgullion Pass near Lake City. Between the jagged heights of Mount Sneffels and the broad Log Hill Mesa, the map reveals the transition from valley ranching to high-country resource extraction.