1951 Map of Ibex Mountain

About this map

Gallatin National Forest dominates the high-altitude landscape of this mid-century survey, defined by the towering summits of the Crazy Mountains and Ibex Mountain. The map illustrates a transitional zone where high mountain peaks drop away into the drainage basins of Cottonwood Creek and Rock Creek. This area was characterized by a dispersed ranching economy, with family-named operations such as Cox Ranch, Footer Ranch, and Harmon Ranch established along the creek bottoms. Social infrastructure for these remote residents is anchored by the Cottonwood School and Pleasant View School, while the Rock Creek Cemetery provides a genealogical touchstone for the families who settled this part of Park County. The complex network of ditches, including several unnamed channels and those near Criswell Ranch, suggests a sophisticated water management system crucial for maintaining valley operations in the shadow of Elk Mountain.