1989 Map of Mackay Bar

About this map

Salmon River canyon dominates this 1989 provisional survey, carving a deep boundary between the Nez Perce National Forest and the Payette National Forest. This remote corridor in Idaho County is characterized by isolated homesteads and mining claims that persisted long after the initial gold rushes. Isolated outposts such as Jersey Ranch, Indian Creek Ranch, and Romine Ranch are positioned along the river benches, accessible primarily by water or difficult mountain trails. The presence of the War Eagle Mine near Crooked Creek and additional unnamed Mines along the eastern ridges suggests the enduring legacy of mineral exploration in the Gospel-Hump Wilderness. Navigational hazards for river travelers are clearly marked, including the Warren Creek Rapids and Mann Creek Rapids, while the designation of the Salmon Wild and Scenic River reflects the late-century shift toward preservation of the Idaho backcountry.