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1967 Map of Sams

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Sams
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Hastings Mesa and the high ridges of the Uncompahgre National Forest dominate this landscape on the border of San Miguel and Ouray Counties. The map reveals a high-altitude ranching and transport corridor where the Old RR Grade winds along the valley of Leopard Creek. Small ranching hubs and outposts like Sams, Noel, and Hastings Ranch suggest the dispersed settlement patterns typical of the San Juan Mountains in the late 20th century.

Elevations rise sharply toward the southeast, culminating in the towering summits of North Pole Peak and Hayden Peak within the Mount Sneffels Wilderness. These peaks overlook a network of watercourses including Cottonwood Creek and Willow Creek, while the Dallas Trail provides a glimpse into the recreation and access routes established through the Spruce Ridge area. The presence of an unnamed Mine near the wilderness boundary reflects the region's enduring connection to extraction.