Loading map...

1955 Map of Mount Ethel

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Mount Ethel
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

High mountain peaks and intricate irrigation networks define this portion of the Continental Divide within the Routt National Forest. The landscape is dominated by the rocky summits of Mount Zirkel and Mount Ethel, surrounded by a dense cluster of alpine basins such as Ptarmigan Lake and Upper Slide Lake. This mid-century survey reveals a distinct geographic divide between the wilderness of the Zirkel Wilderness and the active ranching operations to the east.

A complex system of man-made waterways, including the Helena Ditch, Hillside Ditch, and Chedsey Ditch, demonstrates the intensive water management required for high-altitude agriculture. These ditches trace the contours of the land to serve family-run holdings like the Carlstrom Bros Ranch and Irvine Ranch. This map records the essential infrastructure of the era, from the Grizzly Creek Guard Station to the remote Butler Sch, illustrating how early residents adapted to the challenging environment of the Park Range.