1969 Map of Big Sandy Opening

About this map

Big Sandy Opening serves as a critical entry point into the high country of the Bridger Wilderness during the late 1960s. This survey detail reveals a landscape dominated by alpine drainage systems, where the Big Sandy River and East Fork River originate from numerous glacial lakes such as Poston Lake, Legion Lake, and Mirror Lake. The area's reliance on traditional transport is evident in the extensive network of pack trails, including the Low Line Boundary Trail and the Owyhee Ranch Trail (Pack), which provided access to remote grazing sites like Iron Creek Meadows and Lamreaux Meadows. The presence of the Big Sandy Campground marks the transition from improved roads to the primitive wilderness, while family-named or legacy landmarks like Dutch Joe Creek and Meeks Lake offer clues to the early ranching and surveying history of Sublette County.