1998 Map of Castle Creek

About this map

The John Day River carves a deep valley through this portion of Grant County, serving as the primary drainage for numerous gulches and creeks within the Malheur National Forest. This late 20th-century landscape is defined by its complex hydrology, where named springs like Jones Spring and Cottonwood Spring feed into systems such as Indian Creek and Castle Creek. Evidence of historical industry and land use is visible at Prairie Diggings, where the terrain has been shaped by mining activity. The map reveals the logistical infrastructure of the era, from the winding path of Pine Creek to the established crossings near Fisk Creek. High points like Red Hill and Butch Foster Saddle provide topographic orientation for an area that remains dominated by national forest lands and the vital corridor of the river valley.