1962 Map of West Fork Lake

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through the high country of the Sierra Madre in this early 1960s survey of the Colorado-Wyoming border region. Spanning the Jackson County and Routt County line within the Routt National Forest, the landscape is defined by the headwaters of the West Fork Encampment River and its numerous tributaries. High-altitude water bodies like West Fork Lake, Manzanares Lake, and the Sanchez Lakes are scattered among prominent peaks such as Black Mountain. The absence of developed roads highlights the reliance on a network of historic thoroughfares, including the Pack Trail, Jeep Trail, and a Stock Driveway. This network suggests an era of seasonal grazing and backcountry access, connecting landmarks like West Fork Meadows and Big Red Park before the expansion of modern forest infrastructure.