2014 Map of Hickson Ranch

About this map

Hickson Ranch serves as a central landmark in this high-plains landscape north of Billings, where the terrain is defined by the winding drainage systems of Five Mile Cr and Twelve Mile Cr. The map illustrates a transitional rural environment in Yellowstone County, characterized by a grid of section lines and established gravel routes like Shepherd Acton Rd and Peterson Rd. The northern portion of the quadrangle is marked by the distinct topography of Burnt Coulee, which cuts through the higher elevations. This 2014 survey documents the persistence of ranching infrastructure and the localized road networks, such as Buffalo Springs Rd and Alexander Rd, which connect these isolated homesteads and pastures across the Montana steppe.