1970 Map of Vail Pass

About this map

The high-altitude drainage of Gore Creek and Tenmile Creek defines this section of the Gore Range, where the continental divide separates the White River National Forest and Arapaho National Forest. This 1970 survey, updated with 1980s data, documents the rugged infrastructure of the Vail Pass corridor, including the distinctive Runaway Truck Ramp and various rest areas. The map details the primitive Wheeler Trail and Shrine Pass Road, which reflect the region's transition from early mining prospects to a landscape dominated by recreation and wilderness preservation. Scattered markers for a Prospect or Mines near Wheeler Flats and Buffalo Mountain hint at the area's mineral exploration history, while the establishment of the Eagles Nest Wilderness boundary marks a shift toward protected natural heritage.