1950 Map of Red Canyon

About this map

The Dolores River and San Miguel River carve deep through the mesas of southwestern Colorado in this 1950 survey, produced in conjunction with the United States Atomic Energy Commission. This partnership reflects the era's intensive geological focus on uranium-bearing regions. The landscape is dominated by mining activity, particularly concentrated along the canyon walls and river bends. Active and inactive sites like the North Star Mine, Black Rock Mine, and Shamrock Mines suggest a specialized extraction economy, while the Cliff Dweller Mine and Ophir Mine overlook the confluence of the two rivers. Transportation is largely limited to rudimentary paths such as the Radium Trail and Stock Trail, which navigate the steep elevations between Blue Mesa and Atkinson Mesa. The isolated Club Ranch stands as the primary named settlement, located near the eastern map boundary.