1966 Map of Printz Ridge

About this map

Bitterroot Mountains topography dominates this mid-1960s survey of Ravalli County, where steep drainages and glacial lakes define the wilderness landscape. The map captures a transition from the Bitterroot National Forest into the protected Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, with the high spine of Printz Ridge serving as a central divide between major watersheds. A network of pack trails provides the only passage through this roadless terrain, following the courses of Fred Burr Creek, Mill Creek, and Blodgett Creek. Numerous high-elevation water bodies like Fred Burr Res and Sheafman Lake suggest the area's importance for early water management and irrigation for the valley below. Notable landmarks such as Castle Crag and Mill Point offer distinct orientation points for researchers tracking historic trail routes and forest service boundaries.