2019 Map of Helton

About this map

Warbranch and Helton anchor this corner of the Cumberland Mountains, where the headwaters of the Middle Fork Kentucky River carve through a landscape of narrow hollows and high ridges. The map captures the complex drainage systems of Beech Fork and Spruce Pine Cr, illustrating how small communities like Spruce Pine and Saylor follow the winding creek beds and gaps. Local history is preserved in the location of the Honey Branch Cem and family-named landmarks like Peters Knob and Saylor Hollow. High elevations are dominated by the Kentucky Ridge and the prominent Pine Mountain boundary. This 2019 survey documents the modern road network, including KY 1780 and KY 421, as they navigate the steep terrain between Phillips Gap and Buck Gap, providing a precise look at the geography of the Leslie, Bell, and Harlan county lines.