2001 Map of Squirrel Creek

About this map

Gunnison National Forest and the Elk Mountains Wilderness dominate this high-altitude landscape, where resource extraction and water management define the local geography. Evidence of mining history is visible at the Smith Mine and Hinkle Mine, while the complex hydrological network includes the Highline Ditch, Acme Ditch, and several reservoirs like Cunningham Reservoir. The map illustrates a rugged transition from the forest interior to the drainages of Ohio Creek and Beaver Creek. Recreation and passage through this difficult terrain are marked by the Lowline Trail and Mill-Castle Trail, providing a clear look at how human infrastructure—from irrigation canals to pack trails—negotiates the steep elevations of the Colorado Rockies at the turn of the 21st century.