1958 Map of Topaz Mountain

About this map

Kenosha Mountains and the Tarryall Mountains dominate this high-altitude landscape in the mid-1950s, defining a region of steep drainages and specialized mountain camps. The map documents the high-country economy of the era, where the Northup Lumber Camp and Lost Park Cow Camp served as functional hubs for timber and livestock within the Pike National Forest. Waterways like the North Fork South Platte River and the South Fork South Platte River carve through the terrain, fed by numerous gulches and springs such as Bonus Spring and Cabin Spring. Of particular interest to environmental historians is the Hourglass Burn, a clear scar on the slopes of Topaz Mountain that illustrates the impact of fire on this wilderness before the turn of the decade. The presence of Beaver Ponds along Beaver Creek further suggests the active natural hydrology of the area at the time of the survey.