Loading map...

1955 Map of Ophir

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Ophir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Ophir and the nearby Ophir Loop represent the high-altitude mining and transportation hubs of the San Juan Mountains as they appeared in the mid-1950s. The landscape is marked by an extensive industrial history, with an Old RR Grade winding through the terrain alongside numerous high-country workings like the Gold King Mine, Suffolk Mine, and Silver Bell Mine. Educational foundations are noted at the Ophir Loop Sch, serving the families tied to these remote operations.

Alpine hydrology dominates the southern half of the sheet, where glacial cirques hold Ice Lake Basin, Lower Ice Lake Basin, and Lake Hope. The complex topography includes dramatic summits such as U S Grant Peak, Golden Horn, and Vermilion Peak. This survey records a transitional period when the primary transport shifted from the old rail routes to modern Jeep Trails, providing access to the interior of the Uncompahgre National Forest and San Juan National Forest.