1965 Map of Nelson Peak

About this map

Colville National Forest and Kaniksu National Forest converge in this mid-1960s topographic survey of the Stevens and Pend Oreille county line. The landscape is defined by significant elevations, including Nelson Peak, Benson Peak, and Bald Mountain, with a series of small, isolated mountain lakes such as Buzzard Lake, Nelson Lake, and Benson Lake dotting the drainages. A network of primitive transportation routes, including the Upper Cottonwood Road and various unnamed jeep trails, provide access to higher ground and localized prospects indicating mineral exploration. In the lower elevations, water features like Deer Lake and the marshy expanses of Betts Meadows and Woodward Meadows characterize the transition from timbered slopes to basin floors. Cultural landmarks are sparse but specific, including Camp Hafer and the Kaniksu Ranch, showing the modest footprint of settlement and recreation in this heavily forested mountain region.