Loading map...

1963 Map of Poison Draw

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Poison Draw
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

Lake Fork Gunnison River defines the southeastern corner of this high-elevation Colorado landscape, where the drainage patterns of the Gunnison National Forest take shape. The terrain is characterized by a series of north-south running ridges and draws, including the eponymous Poison Draw and the significant Willow Creek system. This 1963 field survey documents a landscape primarily accessed by primitive routes, featuring a sparse network of jeep trails that navigate the varied topography between Sheep Creek and the southern river valley.

Water sources are the primary landmarks for navigators and ranchers in this area, with numerous named springs such as Armitage Springs, Addington Springs, and Cutler Spring scattered across the drainages. The convergence of Little Blue Creek and its various forks in the west contrasts with the broad Mesa features in the northeast. This map provides a detailed view of the natural hydrology and early vehicle access routes before more modern developments altered the character of this mountain backcountry.