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1972 Map of Hellgate Gulch

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Hellgate Gulch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1992
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1992

About this map

Helena National Forest dominates this topographic study of the Big Belt Mountains, revealing a landscape defined by an intricate network of drainages and early mining activity. The terrain is deeply incised by major watercourses like Magpie Creek and Avalanche Creek, which are fed by dozens of named gulches. These natural corridors served as the primary routes for exploration and extraction, as evidenced by the location of the Argo Mine and various prospects scattered near Gatish Gulch and Shannon Gulch.

The western frontier of the forest is accessed via a system of pack trails and primitive roads that wind through steep elevations. Significant family and local-history landmarks appear as named drainages, including Kilgallon Gulch, Hunters Gulch, and Doolittle Gulch. This map captures the area as it appeared in the early 1970s, showing the intersection of heavy timber, high-altitude ridges, and the enduring physical marks of Montana's mineral-seeking history.