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1957 Map of Elk Mountain

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Elk Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

The Wallowa National Forest dominates this mid-century topographic landscape in northeastern Oregon, characterized by a complex network of canyons and gulches. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes from Starvation Ridge and the heights of Elk Mountain down to the deep drainages of Joseph Creek and Beaver Creek. Human activity is marked by isolated landmarks like the Chico Guard Sta and the Lewis Sch, suggesting a sparse, ranching-oriented settlement pattern centered on family-held lands such as Hinton Ranch.

Logistical traces of early western surveying are evident in the Willamette Base Line running along the southern portion of the quadrangle. The map details vital water sources for this high-country environment, including Starvation Spr, Twin Spring, and Roberts Pond. To the east, the Zumwalt-Buckhorn Road provides one of the few established routes through the steep drainages of Cali Creek and Salmon Gulch.