1966 Map of Sawmill Mountain

About this map

The White River National Forest dominates this Rio Blanco County landscape, defined by high-elevation drainage systems and industrial exploration. Resource extraction is evident through scattered mines, prospects, and a series of drill holes that dot the slopes of Sawmill Mountain. A complex network of waterways, including Coal Creek, Sawmill Creek, and Little Beaver Creek, carves through the terrain, while the Feeder Ditch suggests early efforts at water management. In the southern portion, the Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area marks a shift toward conservation and habitat management. Local access is primarily via narrow routes like the Sleepy Cat Trail and various jeep trails, which connect points of interest such as Allen Pack and the secluded clearing of Hay Park. The map records a transition in land use from mineral prospecting toward forest and wildlife stewardship.