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1996 Map of Polar Bear Mountain

Name: 1996 Topographic Map of Polar Bear Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1999
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1999

About this map

Rouge River National Forest, Siskiyou National Forest, and Klamath National Forest converge in this high-altitude landscape along the border of California and Oregon. The terrain is defined by dramatic peaks and geological markers such as Polar Bear Mountain, Black Butte, and Crazy Peak, while the interior is preserved within the Siskiyou Wilderness. Historical activity in these remote reaches is evidenced by the Offield Mine in the northeast corner and established backcountry outposts like Porters Camp and Bell Echo Camp.

Water systems flow through complex drainage basins, including the East Fork Illinois River and Indian Creek, punctuated by high-mountain basins like Poker Flat and small alpine bodies such as Kelly Lake. The presence of the Jefferson Byway and various prospects indicate a history of both resource extraction and early recreational access through the Del Norte and Siskiyou county lines. The intricate network of gulches, including Tom Gray Gulch and Bit Gulch, illustrates the erosional patterns of the Klamath Mountains.