1968 Map of Coopers Lake

About this map

The North Fork Blackfoot River cuts through this high-altitude landscape where the Lolo National Forest and Helena National Forest converge. The topography is dominated by the broad expanse of Kleinschmidt Flat, a notable glacial feature that supported early 20th-century ranching operations like the White Tail Ranch and Copenhaver Ranch. Water management for these agricultural interests is visible through a network of irrigation works, including the Jorgenson Ditch, Old Ditch, and Spieker Ditch. Local civic life in this remote corner of Powell County is represented by the Salmon Creek Sch, while recreation centers around Coopers Lake and the Big Nelson Campground. Numerous pack trails, such as the Meadow Creek Trail, provide access through Echo Pass and toward Echo Mountain.