2020 Map of Haystack Butte

About this map

The high peaks of the Sweet Grass Hills dominate this portion of Liberty and Hill Counties, including the prominent heights of Mt Royal and Mt Brown. This landscape is defined by the sharp transition from the plains to these isolated mountains, where deep drainages like Bear Gulch and Ribbon Gulch cut through the rising terrain. Evidence of the region’s ranching and transit history is preserved in the road network, which includes the Old Whitlash Freight Rd and the Thompson Cattle Co lands. Water sources are critical in this arid environment, marked by Big Spring and various seasonal flows such as Strawberry Cr and Little Horse Cr. The presence of Miners Coulee suggests the area's historical prospecting ties, while the solitary Haystack Butte serves as a distinct navigational landmark south of the main peaks.