1963 Map of Orphan Butte

About this map

The Dolores River cuts through the northwest corner of this terrain, marking a corridor once utilized by the Old RR Grade. This 1963 survey of the San Juan National Forest reveals a landscape defined by its network of high-elevation trails and seasonal drainage paths like School House Draw and Roaring Forks Creek. The Truelson Ranch stands as the primary namesake settlement in a region otherwise characterized by isolated landmarks such as Orphan Butte and the oddly named Cape of Good Hope. Evidence of the local livestock economy is clear from the established Lost Canyon Stock Driveway, while the presence of Grindstone Lake and numerous pack trails suggests a history of resource management and early backcountry access between Montezuma and La Plata counties.