2014 Map of Island Butte

About this map

Beaverhead National Forest lands dominate this high-altitude landscape in Beaverhead County, defined by a complex network of drainages and prominent geological features. The land is punctuated by Island Butte in the north and the high waters of Coyote Lake to the west. This 2014 survey documents a terrain where access is limited to significant thoroughfares such as Big Sheep Creek Rd and Cabin Creek Rd, reflecting the remote nature of the southwestern Montana backcountry. Numerous seasonal and perennial streams, including the split headwaters of N Fork Alkali Cr and S Fork Alkali Cr, carve deep into the topography. These waterways, alongside Nicholia Cr and Simpson Cr, illustrate the intricate watershed patterns that have shaped land use and ranching boundaries in the region for generations.