1893 Map of Bear Valley

About this map

The Sawtooth Range dominates this late-nineteenth-century survey, which documents the complex river headwaters where the borders of Custer, Boise, Elmore, and Alturas counties meet. This high-altitude landscape is defined by the convergence of major watersheds, including the Middle Fork Salmon River, the Payette River, and the North Fork Boise River. At this time, the area remained largely undeveloped, with Cape Horn appearing as the primary named settlement point amidst a labyrinth of drainage systems like Warm Spring Creek and Marsh Creek. The mapping reveals a topographical transition between the broad expanse of Bear Valley and the sharp elevations of the eastern peaks. Notable landmarks such as Goat Lake and Fagus Creek provide specific points of reference for tracing early exploration and trail routes through this central Idaho territory.