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1973 Map of Pryor Creek

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Pryor Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

The Uncompahgre National Forest dominates this high-country landscape along the border of Ouray and Montrose counties. In the early 1970s, this area served as a critical node for forest management and seasonal mountain activity, centered around the Silesca Guard Sta and the nearby settlement of Silesca. The map reveals a complex network of high-altitude water sources, including Silesca Pond and the headwaters of Pryor Creek, feeding into larger systems like Clear Creek and Spring Creek.

Transportation through this high terrain is defined by rugged corridors such as the Old Paradox Road and the Divide Road. Smaller outposts like Donley Camp and the presence of Beaver Dams along the drainage basins illustrate the remote, working nature of the forest during this era. Numerous named pack and jeep trails indicate how surveyors and foresters navigated the various forks of Hanks Creek and Dry Creek before more modern infrastructure was established.