1969 Map of Shorty Peak

About this map

The high Selkirk crest in Boundary County defines this mountainous landscape, where the northern border of the Kaniksu National Forest meets the international boundary between the United States and Canada. This 1969 field-checked survey reveals a backcountry defined by elevation and water, anchored by the 6,500-foot summit of Shorty Peak and the high waters of Canyon Lake. A complex network of drainage basins, including Smith Creek, Shorty Creek, and Italian Creek, flows through deep valleys separated by prominent landmarks like Lone Tree Peak, Red Top, and Silver Mtn. This era of the forest is characterized by seasonal access and remote resource management, evidenced by the prevalence of a pack trail and jeep trail over established roads. These routes connect high-altitude points such as Italian Peak and Cutoff Peak, tracing a terrain that remained largely wild and undeveloped during the late 1960s.