2017 Map of Cottonwood Creek

About this map

The Continental Divide forms a jagged natural boundary across this portion of the Beaverhead Mountains, separating the high crests of the Beaverhead National Forest in Montana from the Targhee National Forest in Idaho. This high-altitude drainage basin is defined by steep ravines and seasonal water sources like Walters Spring and Breazeale Spring, which feed into the wider Lemhi Valley. Primitive transportation routes such as 18 Mile Rd and Willow Creek Rd navigate the difficult terrain, connecting remote mountain passes with the lowlands. The complex hydrology of the area is mapped through numerous descending tributaries, including Eighteenmile Creek, McGinty Creek, and the namesake Cottonwood Creek, providing a detailed look at the water-carved geography that has historically dictated access through these mountain ranges.