1955 Map of Pitchpine Mountain

About this map

Routt National Forest dominates the western half of this landscape, characterized by high-elevation drainage systems and prominent peaks like Pitchpine Mountain. Cattle ranching is central to the area's mid-century identity, evidenced by several family holdings including the Carlstrom Brothers Ranch, Brands Ranch, and Irvine Ranch. The terrain is marked by a complex network of man-made irrigation channels, such as the Manville No 2 Ditch and Lillie Ditch, which redirect water from alpine sources like Lower Rainbow Lake and Ceanothus Lake to support grazing lands in the valleys. Movement through these high basins was facilitated by established routes like the Grizzly Helena Trail and the Lost Ranger Trail, connecting remote parklands like Livingston Park to the ranching hubs below. This 1955 field survey reveals the intersection of public land management and private agricultural enterprise in Jackson County.