1964 Map of Boulder Chain Lakes

About this map

White Cloud Peaks dominate this 1964 field survey, revealing a high-altitude wilderness defined by its intricate glacial hydrology. The terrain is characterized by a series of cascading lake chains, most notably the Boulder Chain Lakes system including Sliderock Lake, Lodgepole Lake, and Hatchet Lake. These granite basins sit within the protected reaches of the Challis National Forest and Sawtooth National Forest, illustrating the remote topography of Custer County before modern wilderness designations further restricted access. Significant summits like Castle Peak and Patterson Peak anchor the southern portion of the sheet, while the Chamberlain Basin provides a massive drainage for numerous unnamed tributaries. The map serves as a primary record of the trail networks and natural landmarks such as The Kettles and Gunsight that guided early 20th-century exploration of this high Idaho backcountry.