1963 Map of Poison Draw

About this map

Gunnison River waters flow through the southeastern corner of this high-country landscape, where the terrain is defined by deep drainage systems like Poison Draw and Cardwell Draw. Surveyed in the early 1960s, this area of Gunnison County reveals a network of natural water sources vital for high-altitude ranching and wildlife, including Armitage Springs, Addington Springs, and Cutler Spring. The presence of an Old RR Grade near the river suggests the importance of early rail transport in navigating this complex topography. To the southwest, the boundary of the Uncompahgre Nat For marks the transition into protected public lands. The map details an intricate web of seasonal watercourses such as Little Blue Creek, Pine Creek, and Willow Creek, which carve through the elevated Mesa lands, while remote Jeep Trails provide the primary means of overland access across the divide.