1963 Map of Cactus Mtn

About this map

The Snake River carves a deep boundary between Idaho and Oregon in this early 1960s survey, joined briefly in the north by the Salmon River. This high-relief terrain is part of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, where the Wallowa Summit Ridge towers over numerous canyons and gulches. Evidence of human activity is sparse but notable, centered on the river access at Dug Bar and the remote Spencer Ranch. Navigation of the river is marked by a series of treacherous water features, including Whitehorse Rapids, Zigzag Rapids, and Lower Dug Bar Rapids. A lone Landing Strip and a scattering of jeep trails underscore the isolation of this interior mountain landscape, while the Cow Creek Bridge provides a vital link across the lower drainages. The map serves as a detailed record of the confluence of state lines and the challenging topography of the Pacific Northwest river systems.