1977 Map of Oyster Lake

About this map

White River National Forest defines this high-elevation landscape in northwest Colorado, where the transition between Rio Blanco and Garfield counties is marked by an indefinite boundary. The terrain is characterized by the massive uplift of The Flat Tops, a volcanic plateau featuring steep escarpments and alpine basins like Papoose Basin. A complex drainage network feeds numerous high-country lakes, including the central Oyster Lake, the tiered Marvine Lakes, and the isolated Mistake Lakes. This 1970s survey captures the area's transition into more formal protection, shown by the Wilderness Boundary for the Flat Tops Wilderness. The reliance on a Pack Trail network, with routes following West Marvine Creek and Lost Solar Creek, underscores the lack of road infrastructure and the continued use of traditional backcountry transport in this part of the Rockies.