1963 Map of Orphan Butte

About this map

The Dolores River cuts through the northwest corner of this 1963 survey, revealing the legacy of mountain commerce and livestock movement within the San Juan National Forest. While the high-elevation terrain is dominated by deep drainages like Roaring Forks Creek and Grindstone Creek, the human imprint is clear in the Old Railroad Grade tracing the river valley and the Truelson Ranch located near the water's edge. The map captures a specialized mountain economy through named transit corridors, including the Goodhope Stock Driveway and Gold Run Driveway, which indicate the movement of livestock through the high country. Prominent landmarks such as Orphan Butte and the Cape of Good Hope overlook a network of backcountry paths, including the Highline Trail and several pack trails, documenting the landscape before modern road infrastructure reached these remote elevations on the Montezuma and La Plata county line.