1993 Map of Blue Canyon

About this map

Auburn (Site) serves as a central historical anchor in this rugged portion of the Whitman National Forest, representing a locale with deep ties to Oregon's mining past. The landscape is defined by the sharp descent from Elkhorn Ridge toward the Powder River, where the infrastructure of the Mason Dam has transformed the valley into Phillips Lake. Evidence of earlier settlement and industry is scattered throughout the drainages, including the Malloy Cabin (Ruin) and various unmarked Mine and Quarry sites. This 1993 revision details a complex water management system featuring the Baker City Watershed, several Ditch lines, and a Municipal Aqueduct. The area also functions as the Elkhorn Wildlife Area, balancing its historical mining and timber footprint with modern conservation efforts near the Elkhorn Feeding Station.