2020 Map of Mount Cowen

About this map

Mt Cowen serves as the prominent high point of this high-elevation wilderness within the Gallatin National Forest. The landscape is defined by the sharp ridges of the Absaroka Range, where glacial activity has carved out a network of alpine basins and cirque lakes. A complex drainage system feeds from these heights, including Pine Creek Lake, Jewel Lake, and Lake McKnight to the north, while the southern slopes provide the headwaters for the W Fork W Boulder River and the E Fork W Boulder River. The mapping of these peaks, including Mt McKnight, Black Mtn, and Marten Peak, reveals a terrain dominated by dramatic elevation changes and rocky overlooks such as Beaver Meadows. This modern survey details the intricate hydrography of the region, from the narrow runs of Trapper Cr and Fumble Cr to the more substantial flow of the W Boulder River.