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1961 Map of Kings Hill

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Kings Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

The Lewis and Clark National Forest defines this high-elevation landscape, where the intersection of three counties — Cascade, Meagher, and Judith Basin — meets in the mountain peaks. This 1961 field-checked survey reveals the area as a dedicated recreational hub, centered on the Kings Hill Winter Sports Area and its associated Ski Lift. These facilities, situated near the 7,393-foot Kings Hill Pass, mark a period when the mountain was established for regional winter tourism along U.S. 89.

Away from the highway, the terrain is deeply incised by a network of drainage basins, including Sheep Creek and Belt Creek. Small settlements and seasonal outposts like Forest Green and the Lamb Creek Campground provide evidence of early mountain habitations. Local industry is minimally represented by a lone Quarry near the pass, suggesting that by the early 1960s, the value of the land had shifted from resource extraction to managed forestry and recreation. Named landmarks like Porphyry Peak and Mizpah Peak serve as primary navigational anchors for the surrounding backcountry.