1967 Map of Spectacle Lake

About this map

Conejos River drainage patterns and the high-elevation wetland system of the Chicago Bogs define this portion of the Rio Grande National Forest during the late 1960s. The landscape is characterized by a network of seasonal stock and pack routes, including the Conejos Stock Driveway (PACK) and the South Fork Pack Trail, which provided essential access for high-country grazing and recreation. The valley floor along the river was home to established seasonal outposts and recreational sites such as Thomas Ranch, Rocky Mountain Lodge, and Rainbow Trout Lodge. These features, combined with high-altitude water bodies like Spectacle Lake and Ruybalid Lake, illustrate the historical land use for both livestock management at Bancos Cow Camp and early wilderness tourism in the southern Colorado Rockies.