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1950 Map of Cliff Lake

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Cliff Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The Madison River valley and its dramatic lake system define this 1950s landscape, where ranching and early outdoor recreation began to intersect. This era shows a high concentration of established family holdings and seasonal camps, including the Wolf Creek Ranch, Sun Ranch, and Kirby Ranch. The emergence of tourism is evident through the presence of the Snowball Inn, Madison River Lodge, and Elliots Resort, catering to those drawn to the waters of Wade Lake and Cliff Lake.

Remote livestock operations are documented via numerous cow camps throughout the Beaverhead National Forest, some already noted as defunct, such as the Miller Cow Camp and Partridge Cow Camp. High-altitude features like Flatiron Mountain and the Freezeout Lakes stand in contrast to the fertile valley floors, while Wolf Creek Hot Springs highlights the unique geothermal character of this Montana region.