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1940 Map of Mount Powell

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Mount Powell
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

The Blue River carves a central path through this high-altitude landscape, where the boundaries of Grand, Eagle, and Summit counties meet. Surveyed in the early 1930s, the map reveals a remote ranching economy centered around family holdings such as the Noonan Ranch, Abbet Place, and Smith Ranch. These isolated homesteads were connected by the Gore Pass Road and supported by the small Hillcrest Sch, reflecting the sparse but resilient settlement patterns of the interwar era before modern highway developments.

South of the settlements, the terrain climbs toward the formidable peaks of the White River National Forest and Arapaho National Forest. High-country landmarks like Mt Powell and Eagles Nest Mtn overlook a series of glacial waters, including Mirror Lake and the Upper Cataract Lake. This topography illustrates a wilderness transitional period where early travel routes like the Gore Range Trail and the presence of Soda Springs suggest the region's long-standing draw for its natural resources and remote character.