1966 Map of Smizer Gulch

About this map

The White River meanders through this high-plateau landscape in the mid-1960s, cutting a deep valley south of Blair Mesa and the prominent Blair Mountain. This region of Northwestern Colorado is defined by a complex network of drainage systems, where seasonal watercourses like Smizer Gulch, Colorow Gulch, and Mc Andrews Gulch have carved the terrain. The map records the early industrial footprint in this remote area, marking a Pipeline crossing the river and several Drill Holes that indicate mineral or petroleum exploration. Evidence of local material extraction is seen at the Gravel Pit near the riverbank. Boundary lines across the northern portion of the sheet delineate the divide between Moffat County and Rio Blanco County, while various Jeep Trails provide the only access through the rugged draws like Deep Channel Creek and Kissinger Gulch.