2011 Map of Mount Cowen

About this map

Mount Cowen and Mount McKnight anchor this high-elevation landscape in Park County, where the hydrology of the Absaroka Range is mapped in precise detail. The drainage patterns are defined by the South Fork Pine Creek and the West Boulder River, which gather water from numerous alpine sources including Pine Creek Lake, Alpine Lake, and Elbow Lake. The map illustrates a wilderness environment where human footprint is minimal, restricted to natural landmarks like Beaver Meadows and prominent summits such as Black Mountain and Marten Peak. This 2011 survey serves as a vital record of these headwaters and peaks, documenting the relationships between glacial lakes and the creeks that feed into larger Montana river systems, including Jungle Creek and the West Fork West Boulder River.