1893 Map of Bear Valley

About this map

Bear Valley and the high peaks of the Sawtooth Range dominate this early reconnaissance of central Idaho, documenting the intricate hydrology of the Salmon and Payette basins. Surveyed in 1891, the map captures a landscape largely defined by its natural barriers and watercourses, with Cape Horn serving as a solitary named point of reference near the confluence of Middle Fork Salmon River and Marsh Creek. The terrain is characterized by the convergence of several major drainages, including the headwaters of the Payette River and the North Fork Boise River, which carve deep canyons through the Alturas Range. The lack of established road networks or dense settlement patterns reflects the area's isolation in the late nineteenth century, focusing instead on landmarks like Goat Lake and various tributaries such as Warm Spring Creek and Beaver Cr. that guided early travelers and prospectors through the wilderness.