1981 Map of Whitefish Range

About this map

The Whitefish Range dominates this 1980s landscape, serving as a massive topographical spine between the Kootenai National Forest and the Flathead National Forest. This survey captures the wilderness character of the region just before the modern era of intensive recreational development, showing the remote northern reaches of Glacier National Park including Kintla Lake and Bowman Lake. The North Fork Flathead River carves a deep valley that defines the eastern edge of the range, while the Burlington Northern railroad corridor provides the primary industrial link through the western valleys, connecting the small settlements of Trego, Fortine, and Olney. Grounded in data from the late 1960s through 1981, the map documents the complex network of forest service roads and high-elevation landmarks like Stahl Peak and Whitefish Mountain that supported the region's logging and fire management infrastructure.