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1965 Map of Squirrel Creek

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Squirrel Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

Gunnison National Forest and the West Elk Wilderness dominate this mid-century landscape, where rugged terrain meets a sophisticated network of high-altitude water management. The map documents an intricate system of irrigation including the Eilebrecht Ditch, Stratman Ditch, and Highline Ditch, which redirect snowmelt across the slopes. This infrastructure supported local ranching and mining efforts long after the peak of the mountain booms.

Evidence of the area's industrial past is visible through the Old Railroad Grade snaking along Ohio Creek, alongside several named extraction sites like the Ohio Mine and Smith Mine. The transition from wilderness to resource extraction is further marked by features like Cunningham Reservoir and the Mill-Castle Trail, reflecting a landscape shared by foresters, miners, and early recreationalists in the Colorado high country.