1957 Map of Mount Richthofen

About this map

The Continental Divide forms a stark natural boundary across this landscape, separating the high peaks of the Jackson and Grand county lines. Within the high-altitude terrain of Rocky Mountain National Park and Routt National Forest, the map documents essential water management infrastructure, including the Upper Michigan Ditch and the Grand Ditch. These engineering feats represent a significant era of water diversion in the West, moving meltwater across the divide to support agriculture and development in lower basins. The terrain is defined by dramatic summits such as Mount Richthofen and the jagged Nokhu Crags, while alpine waters like Lake Agnes and Lake of the Clouds sit at the base of these massifs. Local movement through this wilderness is marked by the Michigan Trail, tracing the path of the Michigan River through the Colorado State Forest.