1966 Map of Vermillion Mesa

About this map

Vermillion Mesa dominates the central landscape of this Moffat County survey, where the high ground is dissected by a complex network of seasonal drainages. During the mid-1960s, this area remained largely undeveloped, characterized by isolated water sources such as Hughes Spring, Willow Spring, and Loomis Spring. The presence of Hughes Cem and nearby Hughes Flats suggests a history of early ranching or settlement families who established roots in this arid environment long before the aerial photography of 1965. Transport is limited to primitive 4wd tracks that follow the natural contours of the land, crossing named features like Big Bend Draw and Rye Grass Draw. Vermillion Creek carves through the northwest, while topographic benchmarks like BM 6249 and Dry Knob provide specific points of reference for those tracking the high-desert terrain of northwestern Colorado.