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1965 Map of North Star Mesa

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of North Star Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high-altitude landscape of the Gila National Forest, defining the rugged drainage patterns that feed into Sapillo Creek and Apache Creek. The map documents a sparsely settled ranching and wilderness area in the mid-1960s, where human presence is marked by isolated outposts like the V Cross Ranch and the open spaces of Gattons Park.

Logistics and travel are defined by a network of historic routes, including the Military Road and the Apache Trail, which navigate the steep descents of Slick Rock Canyon and Rocky Canyon. These paths, alongside various jeep trails, reveal the essential connectivity required for managing livestock and forest resources near Loco Mountain and Middle Mountain. The inclusion of the Rocky Canyon Campground and water sources like Bucket Tank underscores the area's role as both a working landscape and a site for remote recreation.