1966 Map of Vermillion Mesa

About this map

Hughes Cem and a cluster of local springs anchor this 1960s study of the high desert terrain in Moffat County. The landscape is defined by the broad plateau of Vermillion Mesa and a complex network of seasonal drainages, including Vermillion Creek and the long course of Douglas Draw. While largely devoid of permanent settlements, the map documents the essential water sources that supported ranching and movement through this arid region, such as Hughes Spring, Willow Spring, and Loomis Spring. The presence of a Jeep Trail cutting across the southern draws and names like Rye Grass Draw suggest a landscape managed for grazing and early backcountry access. For genealogists and researchers, the small family cemetery and localized place names like Kraft Flats provide specific markers of the few families who worked this corner of Colorado during the mid-twentieth century.