1966 Map of Ninemile Gap

About this map

The Danforth Hills define this high-altitude landscape along the border of Moffat and Rio Blanco counties in the mid-1960s. This survey records an era of energy extraction and remote livestock management, characterized by numerous Oil Wells, a Drift Hole, and several gravel pits scattered throughout the drainage systems. The Taylor Mine and other unnamed mining sites suggest a reliance on the area's mineral resources, while the presence of the Lunney Reservoir indicates the critical importance of water management in this arid terrain. A network of Jeep Trails and Pack Trails provide the primary means of navigation through the gap, connecting isolated work sites to more established routes. Notable geographic landmarks like Ninemile Gap and Hole-in-the-Wall Gulch serve as natural passage points through the elevated ridges, while Good Spring Creek and Curtis Creek carve distinct paths through the hills.