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1979 Map of North Pole

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of North Pole
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

The high-altitude mining and wilderness landscape of Idaho County is documented here during the late 1970s and 1980s. Centered on the towering North Pole summit, the terrain is defined by the steep ridges and alpine basins of the Gospel Hump region within the Nez Perce National Forest. The map captures a moment when mining history and primitive recreation converged, evidenced by the North Star Mine and Wiseboy Mine located near the headwaters of Wiseboy Creek. Scattered Ruins and a Prospect further indicate the area's prospecting legacy.

Water is a dominant feature of this mountain landscape, with numerous high lakes such as Kelly Lakes, Wildhorse Lake, and Crystal Lake providing focal points for travel. A single Jeep Trail and various footpaths connect these remote basins, passing through landmarks like Tenmile Meadows and along the sharp spine of Tenmile Ridge. The establishment of the Gospel Hump Wilderness is clearly marked, reflecting the shift toward formal land preservation in the Salmon River backcountry.