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2017 Map of Elk Meadow

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Elk Meadow
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Challis National Forest dominates this Central Idaho landscape, where the high-altitude drainage systems of the Salmon River headwaters converge. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes, notably at Elk Mtn and the geologic constriction of Trap Creek Narrows. Settlement is sparse, represented by the remote outpost of Cape Horn and the seasonal expanse of Elk Meadow.

Water is the primary sculptor of this geography, with Valley Creek and Marsh Cr threading through deep valleys. Modern aviation access is provided by the Silva Ranch Airport on the eastern edge of the quadrangle. The map documents an intricate network of Forest Service roads, such as Elk Creek Rd and Stanley Lake Rd, which provide the only passage through this wilderness area. For the researcher, the map reveals the complex hydrography of the region, from the secluded Hidden Lake to the various forks of E Fork Valley.