1966 Map of Thompson Peak

About this map

Targhee National Forest encompasses the vast majority of this mid-1960s survey, defined by a dramatic network of canyons and high ridges. The landscape is oriented around the Palisades Creek drainage, which feeds into the high-elevation Lower Palisades Lake and Upper Palisades Lake. At the time of this mapping, the area was accessible primarily by an extensive system of pack trails and jeep tracks, indicating a wilderness-focused land use that prioritized recreation and natural resource management over permanent settlement. Notable summits like Thompson Peak, Atkinson Peak, and Baldy Mountain punctuate the horizon, while smaller features such as Paradise Basin and Hunts Corral suggest historical grazing or back-country staging areas. The southwest corner shows the edge of the Palisades Bench near the Palisades Creek Campground, marking the transition from the steep canyon terrain to the more accessible valley floor.