1967 Map of The Paint Pot

About this map

The Paint Pot dominates the central landscape of this Custer County interior, characterized by a complex network of seasonal drainages and isolated water sources. Published in the early 1970s from 1966 aerial photography, the map reveals a sparsely settled region where survival and movement were dictated by topography and the location of reliable springs. Evidence of human activity is concentrated at Anderson Ranch and a small Prospect in the northwest, suggesting a balance between small-scale ranching and mineral exploration. A network of primitive routes, such as Walker Road and various marked trails, connects significant natural landmarks like Spar Canyon and Corral Basin. The distribution of named water points, including Spring Gulch Spring, Bear Wallow Spring, and Johnston Spring, provides critical geographic markers for those navigating the high basins and hollows of this high-elevation terrain.