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1967 Map of Elkhorn Creek

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Elkhorn Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Big Lost River meanders across the southern reach of this Custer County landscape, defining the transition from the high peaks of the Lost River Range to the wide expanse of Barton Flats. This 1967 field-checked survey highlights a high-altitude wilderness within the Challis National Forest, where alpine features like Merriam Lake and Pass Lake sit tucked away in the upper elevations. The eastern topography is defined by sharp vertical relief, with Elkhorn Canyon, Vance Gulch, and Sawmill Gulch cutting deep into the mountainside.

Water sources are the primary indicators of human presence and survival in this environment. The Elkhorn Ranch is a notable landmark at the base of the mountains, while numerous named springs such as Whiskey Springs and Coyote Spring dot the dry western basins. In the northwest, the map captures the headwaters of Thousand Springs Creek as it begins its descent through the Thousand Springs Valley, providing a detailed look at the seasonal drainage patterns of the era.