2000 Map of Hilgard Peak

About this map

Hilgard Peak stands as the central landmark of this high-elevation terrain, marking a dramatic divide between the Beaverhead National Forest and Gallatin National Forest. This late 20th-century revision reveals a landscape defined by glacial activity and severe geologic history, encompassing the northern reaches of the Madison River Canyon Earthquake Area. The high basins of the Taylor Hilgard Unit are pocketed with numerous small alpine waters including Thunderbolt Lake, Blue Paradise Lake, and the remote Avalanche Lake at the southern boundary. This map captures the administrative and natural complexity of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, where names like Expedition Pass and Sentinel Peak reflect a legacy of high-country exploration and surveying. The drainage patterns of Wolf Creek and Beaver Creek illustrate the watershed's significance to the Madison County and Gallatin County line.