2020 Map of Polaris

About this map

Polaris stands at the northern edge of the Grasshopper Valley, where the open rangeland meets the high elevations of the Pioneer Mountains. This landscape is defined by its water sources and timber, with much of the eastern and northern portions of the quadrangle protected within the Beaverhead National Forest. Significant peaks such as Baldy Mtn and Black Mtn tower over a network of seasonal and perennial streams including Billings Cr, Scudder Cr, and Grasshopper Creek. Notable landmarks for local history include Old Faithful Spring and Lockridge Spring, which likely served as vital stopovers in this arid terrain. The map details the transition from valley bottom to high alpine basins like the one containing Scott Lake, providing a clear view of the ranching and forest-service roads that lace through Sheep Canyon and across Garrett Hill.