1962 Map of Beartooth Mountain

About this map

The Missouri River carves a dramatic path through this section of the Helena National Forest, defined by the deep reservoir of Holter Lake. The waterway forms a sharp Oxbow Bend beneath the rising slopes of Beartooth Mountain and Jackson Peak, illustrating the complex geological transition near the Gates of the Rocky Mountains. Human presence in this mid-century period is marked by isolated outposts such as Beartooth Ranch and Sperry Ranch, alongside the Indian Trail Lodge which suggests the area's early recreational appeal. Primitive travel routes like the Beartooth Road and various pack trails navigate the steep drainage systems of Cottonwood Creek and Elkhorn Creek, connecting remote riverside features like Ming Bar to the surrounding high country.