1963 Map of Vermiculite Mountain

About this map

Vermiculite Mountain serves as the focal point for intensive industrial activity within the Kootenai National Forest, as shown in this mid-1960s survey. The landscape is defined by extensive mining infrastructure, including a Tramway, Strip Mine, and large Tailings deposits and Mine Dumps north of Rainy Creek. This industrial footprint contrasts with the steep terrain of the Cabinet Mountains, where a Lookout Tower sits atop Blue Mountain. Along the valley floor, the Kootenai River provides a corridor for the Great Northern railroad, passing the small settlement of Ripley and the Bakker Ranch. The presence of an Aqueduct and numerous gulches, such as Kennedy Gulch and Tulu Gulch, highlights the complex water management required to support both the natural drainage of Rice Creek and the localized extraction efforts at the heart of the quadrangle.