1962 Map of Tumble Mountain

About this map

The Little Snake River winds across the northern edge of this high-elevation landscape, anchoring a region of dramatic peaks and deep drainages. Mapping conducted for the Missouri River Basin project reveals a rugged ranching and mining environment in the early 1960s, where Focus Ranch and Maria Bottoms represent rare points of settlement in the valley. The terrain is dominated by a series of prominent summits, including the twin heights of West Gibraltar Peak and East Gibraltar Peak, along with Tumble Mountain and Columbus Mountain. Evidence of early resource extraction persists at Gold Blossom Rocks on the eastern slopes. A network of jeep trails provides the only access through the drainage systems of Cowling Creek and Willow Creek, illustrating the remote nature of this Colorado mountain terrain before modern development.