1893 Map of Bear Valley

About this map

Bear Valley and the surrounding wilderness of central Idaho are depicted here during the final decade of the 19th century, before modern development reached these high mountain basins. Topography by E.T. Perkins Jr. reveals a landscape dominated by the Sawtooth Range and the headwaters of several major river systems. This early reconnaissance survey captures the intersection of Boise, Custer, Elmore, and Alturas counties, highlighting the remote outpost at Cape Horn as a singular point of settlement. The map traces the intricate drainage patterns where the Middle Fork Salmon River and Marsh Creek begin their descent. For those studying early Idaho exploration, the sheet documents original trail orientations and the early names of tributaries like Warm Spring Creek and Fagus Creek, reflecting the geographic priorities of surveyors long before the establishment of modern forest service infrastructure.