1963 Map of Sourdough Peak

About this map

Sourdough Peak and its surrounding ridgelines dominate this high-elevation interior landscape of central Idaho during the 1960s. The map delineates the administrative boundaries of the Nez Perce National Forest and the Gospel Hump Wilderness, showcasing a terrain defined by steep drainage systems and narrow divides. Named water features like Snoose Creek, Blue Ridge Creek, and Kentucky Creek carve through the deep valleys between heights such as Baking Powder Mountain and Square Mountain. Infrastructure is remarkably sparse, consisting primarily of the Santiam Jeep Trail and primitive wilderness paths. This 1987 update, based on 1963 field checks and 1984 aerial revisions, captures the area's transition into formal wilderness protection, providing a clear record of the backcountry before modern recreation patterns shifted, including the remote Twin Lakes and Moore Lake basins.