2013 Map of Spring Hill Creek

About this map

Shelton Ranch and Cooper Ranch anchor this high-altitude landscape in the northern reach of Saguache County, where the sprawling boundaries of the Gunnison National Forest meet a network of mountain drainages. The area is characterized by seasonal livestock management and remote homesteading, evidenced by the presence of the Mergelmann Cow Camp and the Watts Homestead. A complex system of waterways, including Spring Hill Creek and several branches of Beaver Creek like S Beaver Creek and E Beaver Creek, carve through the terrain between prominent landmarks such as Black Ridge and the open flats of Long Park. The map captures a moment in the early 21st century where traditional ranching life persists alongside protected federal forest lands, connected by winding county routes like CO Road 27T.