1988 Map of Hilgard Peak

About this map

Hilgard Peak stands as the dramatic centerpiece of this high-altitude landscape along the Madison and Gallatin county line. The territory is defined by the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, where the sharp ridges of the Madison Range divide the drainage basins of Beaverhead National Forest and Gallatin National Forest. This late-1980s topographic survey meticulously records a high-alpine environment carved by glacial action, resulting in a dense concentration of cirque lakes such as Thunderbolt Lake, Blue Paradise Lake, and Expedition Lake. The naming conventions found here, including Imp Peak, Echo Peak, and Dutchman Peak, suggest a history of early mountaineering and exploration. Small alpine meadows like Sedge Meadow Creek provide contrast to the steep rocky spires, while the network of trails and wilderness boundaries illustrates the preservation of this remote Montana backcountry during the late twentieth century.