1955 Map of Mount Ethel

About this map

The Continental Divide winds across this section of the Park Range, marking the high alpine separation between Jackson and Routt counties. In the mid-1950s, this portion of the Routt National Forest was defined by its high peaks and an intricate network of glacial lakes and headwaters. Prominent summits like Mount Ethel and Lost Ranger Peak tower over the landscape, while the topography reveals the drainage patterns of the South Fork Elk River and Mad Creek. The presence of established paths such as the Rainbow Trail and Ranger Trail suggests a landscape managed for both timber and recreation during the post-war era. For researchers, the map provides precise locations for remote water bodies like Lake of the Crags and Pristine Lake, reflecting the hydrographic detail captured by the Department of the Interior during its development program for the Missouri River Basin.