2023 Map of Crane Prairie

About this map

Malheur National Forest encompasses the high-altitude landscape of this Grant County region, defined by a complex network of springs and drainages. The Crane Prairie opening sits in the southwestern quadrant, serving as a rare level clearing amidst the surrounding ridges. Water is the primary feature of this terrain, with the North Fork Malheur Wild and Scenic River and North Fork Malheur River flowing through the eastern reaches. High points like Sheep Mtn and Summit Rock overlook deep incisions such as Telephone Gulch and Rattlesnake Canyon. Numerous family-named or descriptive water sources, including Winegar Spring, Hankins Spring, and Roaring Spring, suggest a history of seasonal grazing and forest management. This network of Little Crane Creek and Halfway Creek tributaries illustrates the critical role of the watershed in the Oregon backcountry.