1977 Map of Mad River Buttes

About this map

Six Rivers National Forest blankets this portion of the northern California coastal range, where timber and watershed management shaped the mid-century landscape. The Mad River carves a deep, sinuous path across the terrain, creating the distinct Big Bend where early ranching outposts like Big Bend Ranch were established. High-altitude landmarks such as Rooster Rock and Mt Andy overlook a network of drainage basins including Maple Creek and Boulder Creek. This 1977 survey, based on aerial photography from the late 1960s and early 1970s, documents the transition from early pack trails to the modernization of access roads. While some areas remain accessible only via a 4WD Trail or Pack Trail, established routes like Mountain View Road and Shower Pass Road connect isolated locales like Mt View Ranch and Three Cabins to the wider region.