2004 Map of Purgatory Saddle

About this map

The Seven Devils Mountains dominate this region of Adams County, where the high-altitude terrain drops sharply into the depths of Hells Canyon. This 2004 revision reflects a landscape defined by its protection within the Payette National Forest and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. The map reveals a history of resource extraction and fire management, evidenced by numerous prospects, a shaft, and the Smith Mountain Lookout. Water features are abundant at these elevations, including Black Lake, Crystal Lake, and Ruth Lake, which feed the drainages of Granite Creek and the Middle Fork Rapid River. Historic movement through this difficult terrain is marked by the Horse Pasture Trail and landmarks like Purgatory Saddle and Stevens Saddle, illustrating the traditional routes used long before modern surveying.