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1963 Map of Vermiculite Mountain

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Vermiculite Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Vermiculite Mountain dominates the eastern landscape of this Lincoln County survey, where heavy industrial activity is concentrated. The map documents an extensive mine operation with specialized infrastructure including a Tramway, Storage Bins, and a Muck Dump situated near the headwaters of Fleetwood Creek. This extraction site contrasts with the surrounding Kootenai National Forest, where the terrain is marked by deep drainages like Tub Gulch and Mitchell Creek.

Transportation and water dictate the settlement pattern to the west. The Kootenai River snakes through the valley, paralleled by the tracks of the Burlington Northern railroad. Small outposts of human activity appear along this corridor, notably the Bakker Ranch and the small siding at Ripley. Higher elevations are represented by peaks like Blue Mountain, which is capped by a Lookout Tower, serving as a vital vantage point for the forest service during the mid-20th century.