1953 Map of Pathfinder Reservoir SW

About this map

Pathfinder Reservoir dominates this high-altitude landscape in central Wyoming, serving as a focal point for water management and wildlife conservation in the early 1950s. The map illustrates the rugged interface between the water's edge and the surrounding peaks, most notably the Pedro Mountains rising to the east. This survey, conducted as part of the Department of the Interior program for the development of the Missouri River Basin, documents the Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge established along the reservoir's western bays. A network of ephemeral drainages, including Sand Creek, Bear Creek, and Deweese Creek, carve through the arid terrain, while the isolated Park Ranch stands as a solitary marker of human habitation. The prevalence of a Jeep Trail winding through the hills reflects the remote character of the region during this era of post-war resource mapping.