2004 Map of Acorn Butte

About this map

Payette National Forest and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness dominate this high-altitude landscape in central Idaho. The map reveals a history of resource extraction and backcountry travel, centered around the Snowshoe Mine and nearby Snowshoe Gulch, where a Prospect is also noted. The terrain is characterized by steep ridges and deep valleys, with the West Fork Basin and the prominent Lookout Mountain Ridge shaping the drainage patterns of Big Creek. Unusual alluvial features along the riverbanks carry distinctively culinary-themed names, including Hard Boil Bar, Over Easy Bar, and Soft Boil Bar, likely reflecting the vernacular of local packers and miners. These riverside bars, along with Mile Flat, highlight the few level areas in an otherwise vertical environment. Cultural markings are sparse but significant, including the Bismark Trail and Grave Spring, which suggest the historical routes used to traverse these remote mountains.