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1951 Map of Mt Pend Oreille

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Mt Pend Oreille
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

The high peaks of the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains meet at the Idaho Montana state line in this 1951 survey, which captures the remote intersection of the Kaniksu National Forest and Kootenai National Forest. Centered on the towering Mt Pend Oreille, the landscape is defined by deep glacial basins like Auxor Basin and a network of high-altitude waters including Lake Darling, Lake Estelle, and Moose Lake. This was a working wilderness where isolation was managed by scattered outposts such as Smith Cabin, Rattle Creek Cabin, and Beaver Cabin.

Resource extraction and access are evidenced by several Mine and Prospect symbols dotting the ridges. The primary artery for movement through this steep terrain was Lightning Creek Road, which follows the drainage of Lightning Creek toward the southern boundary. The map preserves a detailed record of the drainage patterns for Callahan Creek and Keeler Creek before mid-century forest management and modern infrastructure significantly altered backcountry access routes.