2021 Map of Elk

About this map

Elk sits prominently on the Mendocino coast, where the rugged Pacific shoreline is defined by steep ridges and deep gulches. This survey of the coastal landscape reveals a concentration of historical interest at Cuffeys Point, where three distinct burial grounds—the Cuffeys Cove Community Cem, Cuffeys Cove Catholic Cem, and Druids Cem—overlook the ocean. The terrain is structured by massive natural elevations like Albion Ridge and Greenwood Ridge, which separate the drainage basins of the Albion River and the Navarro River. Inland, the map details a network of narrow canyons including Deadman Gulch and Slaughterhouse Rd, suggesting the historical industry and settlement patterns of the timber-rich Pleasant Valley area. Offshore, a series of named rock formations such as Wharf Rock and Casket Rock indicate the treacherous nature of the maritime approach to Greenwood Cove.