Loading map...

1980 Map of Mount Ouray

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Mount Ouray
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Mount Ouray dominates the high-altitude landscape where the Continental Divide winds through the heart of the San Isabel National Forest and Gunnison National Forest. This 1980s-era topographic study illustrates a region defined by its hydrology and mineral history, from the high Pass Creek Lake to the eastern drainage of Poncha Creek. Near the crossing at Marshall Pass, the map captures the remote character of the border between Chaffee and Saguache counties, showing the complex network of pack trails and jeep trails that supported local exploration and industry.

Evidence of early mining activity is scattered across the slopes, including the Cinderella South Mine and several unnamed prospects along Browns Creek and Spruce Creek. The former settlement of Shirley (Site) sits near the eastern edge of the quadrangle, serving as a reminder of the historical human presence along these waterways. Infrastructure like the Pipeline and Larkspur Ditch reflects the ongoing management of high-country resources during this period.