1954 Map of Sapinero

About this map

Blue Mesa Reservoir dominates the drainage of the Gunnison River in this detailed 1950s-era topography, which includes revisions through 1970. The rugged high-desert landscape is defined by massive tablelands like Soap Mesa, Sapinero Mesa, and Dillon Mesa, cut through by steep gulches and perennial water sources. The settlement of Sapinero and the nearby Sapinero Ranger Sta serve as the primary human focal points, while the Elizondo Ranch and various Beaver Ponds along Pine Creek indicate the agricultural and natural history of the area. The northern reaches of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison are visible where the river carves through the earth, a stark contrast to the sprawling reservoir created by modern damming. Numerous Ditch labels and remote Trail networks suggest a history of water management and backcountry access within the Gunnison National Forest.