2011 Map of Buttermilk Canyon

About this map

Hale Ridge and Rood Hill define the northern uplands of this Gilliam County landscape, where a complex network of drainages has carved deep into the plateau. The topography is characterized by seasonal watercourses like Juniper Creek and the Middle Fork Rock Creek, which feed into the larger system of Rock Creek. The map reveals a series of named canyons—Buttermilk Canyon, Sweetmilk Canyon, and Harshman Canyon—suggesting a history of ranching and land use tied to these specific geographic features. Settlement patterns are sparse, represented primarily by remote thoroughfares such as Hale Bridge Rd and Buttermilk Canyon Rd, which follow the natural contours of the land. This 2011 survey captures the area's rural character, emphasizing the named hollows and canyons that have likely served as landmarks for generations of local inhabitants.