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1997 Map of Copper Mountain

Name: 1997 Topographic Map of Copper Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2002
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2002

About this map

Copper Mountain stands at the center of this mountain landscape in Madison Co., where the high-altitude drainage systems of the Ruby River basin are etched into the terrain. The map records a legacy of hard-rock extraction, with numerous workings such as the Toledo Mine, Smuggler Mine, and Geel Mine concentrated in the northern and eastern gulches. These mineral claims are connected by a network of trails and primitive roads that navigate the complex ridges between Nonpareil Park and the Madison District Beaverhead National Forest.

Water management and recreation are evident in the lower elevations and forest boundaries. The Vigilante Canal cuts across the southwestern corner, while established recreation sites like Balanced Rock Campground and Mill Creek Campground indicate the modern transition of the land from purely industrial use to public forest management. The intricate network of seasonal flows, including Bivens Creek and Ramshorn Creek, underscores the importance of snowmelt runoff to the surrounding valleys.