1956 Map of Rabbit Ears Peak

About this map

The high-altitude terrain of the Continental Divide defines this mid-century survey, where the Rabbit Ears Range and Routt National Forest meet. The landscape is marked by extreme topography and historical land use, ranging from the prominent Rabbit Ears Peak and White Slide to high-elevation water sources like Bear Park Reservoir and McGowan Reservoir. The map documents a sparsely settled frontier during the 1950s, characterized by isolated sites such as the McGowan Homestead and a Lumber Camp. These small, localized footprints illustrate the area's legacy of early ranching and timber harvesting. Movement through the peaks is dictated by significant mountain crossings at Rabbit Ears Pass and Muddy Pass, while the branching waters of Grizzly Creek and Colorado Creek drain the surrounding slopes, reflecting the complex hydrology of the Colorado high country.