1997 Map of Leonard Creek

About this map

The high elevations of the Tobacco Root Mountains define this section of the Beaverhead National Forest in Madison County. During the late 1990s, the landscape remained characterized by its network of high-country drainages and evidence of mineral exploration. A cluster of mining activity is visible in the northwest corner, including a Mine Shaft, Prospect, and Mine located near Aurora Creek. The map shows a complex watershed where Leonard Creek and Dry Leonard Creek descend from the ridges toward the east, eventually feeding into the larger North Meadow Creek system. These steep drainages, including Slim Sam Creek and Fletcher Creek, illustrate the difficult terrain that historically challenged both prospectors and forest managers. The presence of these named shafts and prospects alongside remote waters like Virginia Creek provides a clear record of the area's dual identity as both a resource frontier and a protected wilderness.