1963 Map of Challis

About this map

Challis and the surrounding river valleys of central Idaho are defined here by a extensive mining history and isolated mountain ranching during the early 1960s. The landscape is a network of national forests, including the Challis National Forest and Boise National Forest, where remote outposts like the Loon Creek Ranger Sta Boyles Ranch and Landmark Ranger Sta served as vital backcountry hubs. The map reveals the terminal phase of several historic mining districts, marking numerous sites as abandoned, such as the Yellowjacket Mine and the Ramshorn Mine. However, active operations like the Clayton Mine and Silver King Mine demonstrate the area's continued reliance on lead, silver, and gold. From the peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains to the banks of the Salmon River, the map captures a period when U S 93 and State 21 provided the primary conduits through this wilderness.