1967 Map of Thistle

About this map

The railroad junction at Thistle serves as the focal point of this 1967 survey, where the Denver & Rio Grande Western tracks diverge to follow the canyons. This vital transit node is supported by local infrastructure including the Thistle Substation and a Gaging Station situated near the confluence of Thistle Creek and Soldier Creek. The topography is dominated by the steep boundaries of the Uinta National Forest and the Manti-La Sal National Forest, which meet in this complex vertical landscape. Numerous water sources such as Jumpup Spring and Little Bear Spring are scattered across the high ridges like Coffeepot Ridge. The map documents a network of Pack Trails and Jeep Trails that provided access to these high elevations long before modern road development, while the Red Narrows along the Spanish Fork river illustrates the narrow corridors through which early pioneers and rail engineers navigated the Wasatch range.