2011 Map of Willow Swamp

About this map

The Spanish Peaks dominate this high-elevation landscape, where a complex network of alpine lakes and drainages feeds the headwaters of the Gallatin River system. Named for their familial proximity, Big Brother Lake, Little Brother Lake, and Little Sister Lake are tucked into the mountain cirques alongside other remote waters like Lake Solitude, Hermit Lake, and the Chilled Lakes. Evidence of mineral interest in the area is localized at the Placer Creek Mine, situated near the confluence of Placer Creek and Willow Swamp Creek. The drainage patterns here are intricate, with North Fork Spanish Creek and South Fork Spanish Creek carving through the terrain. A few Forest Service roads, including FS 364b and FS 364c, provide limited access into the Newell Basin and toward landmarks such as Pioneer Falls on Falls Creek.