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1968 Map of Stemple Pass

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Stemple Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

The Continental Divide defines the high-altitude character of this portion of the Helena National Forest, marking a jagged boundary across the landscape. The region's history of mineral exploration is evident in the presence of Wizard and numerous prospects scattered along the mountain slopes, particularly near the settlement of Gould. These sites hint at the small-scale mining efforts that once dotted the gulches and ridges of the northern Rockies.

Transportation through this high country is constrained by the terrain, with Flesher Pass and Stemple Pass serving as the primary crossings over the divide. Waterways like the Blackfoot River and Virginia Creek drain the surrounding heights, while local names such as Rooster Bill Creek and Fool Hen Creek provide a glimpse into the vernacular of the homesteaders and prospectors who worked these claims. The map captures a moment of quiet industrial presence within the larger wilderness, where gravel pits and prospects sit alongside creeks like Trout Creek and Willow Creek.