2017 Map of Vermilion Peak

About this map

The Vermilion River carves a central path through this high-altitude landscape where the Lolo National Forest and Kaniksu National Forest meet. This 2017 survey documents a wilderness of sharp ridgelines and glacial basins, anchored by Vermilion Peak and Graves Peak in the south. The terrain is defined by its dramatic elevation changes, rising from the river valley to the peaks of the Cabinet Mountains in the west. Numerous alpine water bodies, including Rush Lake, Stony Lake, and Image Lake, occupy the high cirques, while a network of forest service roads like Graves Creek Rd and Irus Creek Rd provide the only significant human infrastructure. This map is a primary resource for understanding the contemporary topography and forest management boundaries in Sanders County, tracing the legacy of these protected public lands.