1988 Map of Fan Mountain

About this map

Fan Mountain dominates the high topography of the Madison Range in this late-1980s topographic record. The landscape is defined by the dramatic transition from the steep eastern slopes of the Beaverhead National Forest and the protected Lee Metcalf Wilderness down toward the broad Alluvial Fan to the west. This geological feature is dissected by numerous drainages, including Cedar Creek, which is tapped by the Cedar Creek Aqueduct, suggesting a sophisticated water management system for the lower-elevation valley. Local history is anchored by family-named landmarks and small-scale operations, such as the McDeed, Shell, and Tolman sites along the western margin. These settlements and the network of 4WD trails and footbridges indicate a period when recreational access at the Jack Creek Recreation Site and resource management through Gaging Stations and gravel pits shaped the area's development.