1990 Map of Bald Hill

About this map

The Nisqually River and the Deschutes River define the hydraulic character of this corner of Thurston County in the 1990s. The landscape is heavily marked by glacially formed lakes and wetlands, including Clear Lake, Elbow Lake, and the distinctive Parsnip Swamp. Conservation and recreation areas are well-established, with Elbow Lake State Park and Deschutes Falls County Park protecting the area's most prominent natural landmarks. The map illustrates a transition from the agricultural lowlands near the river bends to the rising elevations of Bald Hill and Green Hill. Human impact on the hydrology is visible through the Yelm Ditch and various unnamed pits, while local travel is managed via a network of rural routes like Longmire Road and Bald Hill Road. This survey provides a clear look at the intersection of three counties—Pierce, Thurston, and Lewis—amidst a terrain of creeks like Tanwax Creek and Lackamas Creek.