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2024 Map of French Basin

Name: 2024 Topographic Map of French Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2024
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2024

About this map

The Sapphire Mountains define the high country of this portion of the Bitterroot National Forest in western Montana. The landscape is carved by a network of drainages including Rye Creek, Cameron Creek, and Lyman Creek, which have shaped the distinctive topography of the French Basin. This area reflects a long history of forest management and backcountry access, with established routes like the Skalkaho-Rye Rd and various forest trails connecting the ridgelines and gulches.

Remote water sources such as Schoolmarm Lake and Clough Springs provide critical landmarks within the timbered slopes. Evidence of land use and surveying is visible in the network of ridges and draws, from Shirley Mtn in the south to the northern reaches of Spring Gulch. The prevalence of named geographic features like Guide Saddle and Sawdust Gulch suggests a landscape well-traversed by hunters, foresters, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the modern era.