1980 Map of Whale Hill

About this map

Mining claims and high-altitude exploration define this landscape within the Rio Grande National Forest. The map is a dense record of early industrial activity, featuring dozens of specifically named operations such as the Little Darling Mine, Stemwinder Mine, and Colorado Belle Mine. These sites are concentrated along steep drainages like Rawley Gulch and Chloride Gulch, where trails and prospects suggest a history of arduous extraction. An Old Railroad Grade follows the course of San Luis Creek on the eastern edge of the quadrangle, indicating the logistical network once required to service these mountain mines.