1997 Map of Butch Hill

About this map

Butch Hill stands as a prominent high point in this corner of the Beaverhead National Forest, where the topography transitions from the timbered slopes of the Wisdom Ranger District and Dillon Ranger District into the broad, water-managed valleys below. The landscape is defined by an intricate network of irrigation systems necessary for high-country ranching, including the Main Jackson Ditch, Tebo Ditch No 13, and the Upper Fox Creek Ditch. These man-made watercourses follow the contours of the land, diverting flow from natural drainages like Nellie Creek and Harrison Creek. Traces of human habitation and working life are visible at sites like Prines Cabin, Hairpin Ranch, and the Gloss Place. The map captures a moment in the late twentieth century when traditional land use—ranching, forestry, and water management—remained the primary drivers of the local geography.