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Pro ect Introduction and Location The Anschutz Coal Corporation of Denver is actively developing Its mining property on North Thompson Creek about 15 miles southwest of Carbondale in Pitkin County, Colorado [Fig. i]. As part of the current development plan, Anschutz intends to conduct a core drilling program on Coal Lease L-08173. This lease tract is located on the White River National Forest twelve miles southwest of Carbondale. The initial phase of this drilling program calls for completion of four holes and asso- ciated access roads. These locations have been designated as A, B, C and D by Anschutz [Fig. 2] and are scheduled to 6e explored in the winter of 1977-78. As presented in Figure 2, the locations of these drill sites are T 8 5, R 89 W, A = SW, SW, SW of Section 22; B NE, SW, NW of Sec- tion 27; C = SE, SE, SW of Section 22; and D = SE, SW, NE of Sectian 27. In September of 1977, Anschutz contacted Centuries Research, Inc. of Montrose and authorized a Level IV cultural resource investigation of the drill sites and access roads. Such a survey was conducted by Cen- turies on October 6, 1977 and a preliminary report was immediately filed with the Ranger of the Sopris District of the White River National Forest in Carbondale [Baker 1977a]. The present document will serve as the final report on the archaeological survey. The report will be submitted to Anschutz and will be intended for review by both the Forest Service and the State Historic Preservation Officer. The Study Area The study areas are located in a mountainous region which has seem- ingly produced few cultural resources during similar surveys in similar settings. The drill sites are all located in small parks and meadows at elevations of well over 9,000 feet. .The study area is located atop a well defined ridge, extending roughly three miles north and south [Fig. 2]. The summit of this ridge covers roughly 1200 acres and tends to gentle but rolling relief and is about one half of a mile in width. The ridge was formed as the divide between North Thompson Creek and the South Branch of Edgerton Creek. The study area is characterized by typical montane envir- onment exhibiting numerous small grassy meadows interspersed amopg stands of fir and aspen. Some small sagebrush with mixed grass understory appears at the south edge of the stream divide. Old elk and deer pellets were noticeable throughout the area but wildlife was remarkably inconspicuous at the time of the archaeological survey. The area is known as very good elk hunting territory [Mangan 1977].