1963 Map of Placita

About this map

Placita sits along the Crystal River at the southern edge of this mid-century topographic record, marking a pocket of human activity within a landscape of significant elevation change and industrial potential. The rugged character of the Gunnison National Forest and White River National Forest is defined by prominent landforms such as Huntsman Ridge and the heights of Huntsman Mountain. The drainages of South Thompson Creek and Coal Creek reveal the complex hydraulic network of the region, while the presence of the Dutch Creek Mine and a Drill Hole in Coal Basin point to the area's history of extractive survey and labor. This 1963 survey, with revisions into the late 1970s, captures the remote transportation network including several pack trails and a jeep trail that navigate the high-altitude terrain between Dexter Park and Island Lake.