1962 Map of Sawtooth Mountain

About this map

Gunnison National Forest dominates this high-altitude landscape in the early 1960s, defined by the prominent peak of Sawtooth Mountain and the steep descent into Cochetopa Canyon. This map captures a rugged territory where resource extraction and remote settlement patterns are etched into the terrain. The presence of the Mercury Mine near Cochetopa Creek points to the area's geological value, while names like Homestead Gulch and Townsite Gulch suggest a history of early mountain habitation that had transitioned into a landscape of trails and seasonal use by the time of this survey. The terrain is further characterized by large mountain meadows or parks, including Lick Creek Park, Muddy Park, and Bead Park, which traditionally served as vital grazing grounds or transition zones between the high peaks like Agency Peak and the creek drainages below.