1997 Map of Brays Canyon

About this map

The Big Hole Divide forms a significant topographic backbone in this section of the Beaverhead National Forest, dictating the flow of numerous mountain drainages. Mapping revised by the USDA Forest Service in the late 1990s captures a landscape defined by its complex network of forks and canyons, including the prominent Brays Canyon and Browns Canyon. To the west, waters feed toward the Big Hole River system via channels like the North Fork and South Fork, while eastern slopes drain toward the Dillon Ranger District through Hayes Creek. Small-scale resource extraction is noted by a Gravel Pit and isolated Prospect sites, while a high-altitude Reservoir and a system of 4wd routes suggest the area's utility for water management and backcountry access. This survey provides a clear view of the drainage patterns and rugged relief that characterize this high Montana interior before the turn of the millennium.