1954 Map of Gold Fork

About this map

Hot Spring and the surrounding high-altitude drainage basins of the Little Gold Fork River define this mid-century survey of the Idaho backcountry. The landscape is dominated by the administrative boundary between the Payette National Forest and the Boise National Forest, reflecting the region's managed timber and recreation priorities. Transportation in this era relied heavily on unimproved roads and an Old Railroad Grade that winds through the valley floor near the Historical Monument. The map detail reveals essential water management and fire observation infrastructure, from the Gold Fork Lookout perched on the heights to the Calendar Reservoir and Davis Reservoir below. High points such as The Needles and Gold Fork Rock provide prominent landmarks for navigating the complex network of mountain creeks and ridges that feed into the North Fork Gold Fork River.