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1966 Map of Silver Butte Pass

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Silver Butte Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Silver Butte Pass serves as a critical geographic divide between the Kootenai National Forest to the north and the Kaniksu National Forest to the south. During the mid-1960s, this portion of the Cabinet Mountains was defined by its mineral extraction and extensive pack trail network. Evidence of prospecting activity is prominent at the Viking Mine and Vermillion Mine, alongside several unnamed Prospect sites.

The hydrology of the area is anchored by the Silver Butte Fisher River, which receives drainage from numerous steep drainages such as Trapper Creek and Olson Creek. Elevated landmarks like Allen Peak and Whitetail Ridge provide significant topographic relief, while secluded water bodies like Elk Lake are tucked into the high country. An extensive system of trails, including the Iron Meadow Trail (Pack) and Himes Creek Trail (Pack), illustrates how the landscape was navigated before the development of modern road infrastructure.