2011 Map of French Basin

About this map

French Basin forms a central drainage corridor in this part of Ravalli County, where water features and mountain terrain dictate the movement of roads and trails. The hydrologic landscape is defined by the Shining Mountain Dam and Schoolmarm Lake, supported by a dense network of tributaries including Rye Creek, Lyman Creek, and the North Fork Cameron Creek. Higher elevations are marked by landmarks like Shirley Mountain and the distinctively named Weird Tom, while the Guide Saddle provides a natural crossing point near Guide Creek. The road network is primarily composed of forest service routes such as Skalkaho Rd and French Basin Rd, which navigate the contours of Sawdust Gulch and Pasture Draw. This survey captures a region where the names, such as Clough Springs and Big Corral, reflect a history of water management and livestock usage in the Montana high country.