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1963 Map of Kirkwood Creek

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Kirkwood Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The Snake River carves a deep path through this borderland of Idaho and Wallowa counties, revealing a landscape defined by dramatic elevation changes and seasonal ranching activity. Notable for its riverine features, the map documents a series of white-water challenges including Durham Rapids, China Rapids, and the Upper Kirby Rapids. Human presence in this steep terrain is marked by remote outposts such as Dixon Cow Camp and Kirkwood Cow Camp, reflecting the region's history of high-country grazing within the Nezperce National Forest and Wallowa National Forest.

Tracing the ridge lines from Wick iup Butte toward the Seven Devils Mountains, the survey identifies early archaeological and industrial sites. Pictographs are noted along the riverbanks near Cat Gulch, while the Blue Jacket Mine sits perched above the Kirkwood Creek drainage. These labels offer a detailed view of the remote camps, mines, and navigation points that once supported the isolated river economy before more modern infrastructure reached the interior of the canyon.