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2017 Map of Polaris

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Polaris
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Polaris serves as the primary settlement hub for this high-elevation region of Beaverhead County, positioned at the edge of the expansive Grasshopper Valley. The landscape is dominated by the Pioneer Mountains, where peaks like Baldy Mtn and Black Mtn tower over a complex drainage system. Multiple water sources including Old Faithful Spring and Lockridge Spring feed into the network of mountain creeks, which eventually join Grasshopper Creek as it flows southward through the valley floor.

Logistics and travel are defined by the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, which follows the base of the mountains alongside Steel Cr and Driscoll Cr. This route, together with local access roads like Scudder Creek Rd and Dyce Creek Rd, provides a framework for understanding the ranching and forest access patterns of the era. Significant portions of the northeast and central terrain are protected within the Beaverhead National Forest, characterized by steep landforms such as Garrett Hill and Sheep Canyon.