1957 Map of X Lazy F Ranch

About this map

Gunnison National Forest dominates this high-altitude landscape in the late 1950s, characterized by a complex network of high plateaus and deep drainages. The X Lazy F Ranch sits as a lonely human outpost amidst the vast stretches of Black Mesa and Soap Mesa. This area is defined by its dramatic relief, where Bellmire Ridge and Powell Ridge overlook the branching headwaters of Crystal Creek and Curecanti Creek. The drainage patterns are intricate, featuring numerous named ravines like Hartman Gulch and Commission Gulch that feed into the Cimarron River system. The map reveals the early infrastructure of the region through primitive routes such as a Jeep Trail, illustrating how the land was navigated for ranching and resource management before more modern development reached these elevations.