1969 Map of Big Creek

About this map

Golden Hand Mine and the Werdenhoff Mine punctuate the high-altitude terrain of the Payette National Forest in this late 1960s survey. The landscape is defined by the intersection of Idaho and Valley counties, where primitive transportation networks rely heavily on the Landing Strip and an extensive system of pack trails. Along the southern edge, the settlement of Big Creek serves as a central hub, featuring a Ranger Station and the Big Creek Campground. The map traces a history of remote mountain occupancy through named sites like Hand Camp, Mahan Cabin, and Estep Cabin. Resource extraction and wilderness management are central themes, visible in the distribution of prospects such as the Golden Cup Mine tucked below Windy Ridge and the Placer Creek drainage.