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1945 Map of Mount Gunnison

Name: 1945 Topographic Map of Mount Gunnison
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1945
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1945

About this map

The North Fork Gunnison River valley anchors this 1945 edition, showing the industrial and agricultural corridors of the West Slope just before the mid-century. Small settlements like Somerset and Oliver sit along the river's path, while the higher elevations of the Grand Mesa National Forest are marked by a network of seasonal work sites and shelters including Snowshoe Cabin, Bear Creek Cabin, and the Davenport Ranch.

Tracing the complex topography of Coal Creek Mesa and the slopes of Mt Gunnison, the map reveals the era's reliance on trails for livestock and movement. Significant routes like the Munsey Ruby Stock Driveway and the Through Line Trail crisscross the high country, connecting isolated peaks like West Beckwith Peak to water sources like the Minnesota Reservoir. This document captures the transition from primitive mountain trails to early established roads along the river basin.