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1960 Map of Black Mountain

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Black Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Bighorn National Forest serves as the backdrop for this 1960s study of the steep canyons and high mesas of Big Horn County. The topographic survey highlights the specific corridors of Shell Creek and Trapper Creek, where narrow valleys allowed for limited ranching and institutional use. Of particular note for local history is the Iowa State Univ Geology Camp, situated near the confluence of several gulches. The drainage network is complex, featuring prominent landforms such as Sunlight Mesa and the distinctive Elephant Head Rock.

Evidence of human water management appears in the southwest corner with the High Line Ditch, while the higher elevations are marked by a web of trails and a Radio Tower atop Black Mountain. The map provides a detailed look at the geography surrounding Trapper Lodge Ranch, illustrating the transition from the high peaks of Horse Mtn down into the sheer drops of the canyons that define the region's character.