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1963 Map of Nipple Mountain

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Nipple Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The West Dolores River carves a deep valley through the San Juan National Forest in this 1960s study of the Colorado high country. The landscape is defined by an extensive network of small upland reservoirs like Zwicker Reservoir and Mc Cabe Reservoir, suggesting a managed water system for ranching and forest operations. Remnants of human presence are scattered along the canyon floors and high mesas, including the Cottonwood Guard Station and the King Ranch.

Recreational sites are already well-established along the riverbanks, with several developed areas such as the Mavreeso Campground and Emerson Campground providing access to the river. Higher elevations are marked by distinctive landmarks like Nipple Mountain and Stoner Mesa, which are accessible only by a system of pack trails and jeep trails. This survey captures the transition of the region from active resource management and ranching toward its role as a destination for backcountry exploration.