1963 Map of Sheep Mountain

About this map

Uncompahgre National Forest dominates this mountain landscape, defined by high-elevation ridges and the deep drainages of the Cimarron and Big Blue systems. The map illustrates a high-country economy reliant on seasonal grazing and forest management in the early 1960s, evidenced by the Ridge Stock Driveway and the Alpine Guard Sta. Remote landmarks like Sheep Mountain and Van Boxel anchor the rugged topography, while the Alpine Trail (Pack) and Firebox Trail (Pack) provide the primary means of traversal through the timbered slopes. Recreational and administrative sites such as the Big Blue Campground and Johnson Park sit near the boundaries of Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties, showing the intersection of local government oversight and federal land use in the Colorado high country.