2010 Map of Howell Mountain

About this map

Howell Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain anchor this central Texas landscape, where large cattle ranching operations and private airfields define the modern geography. The map reveals a network of namesake ranch roads such as Smith West Ranch Rd, Herfe Ranch Rd, and Mountain Pasture Ranch Rd, indicating the persistence of large-scale landholdings in Blanco County. The drainage patterns of Cypress Creek and its northern branch weave through the limestone terrain, creating natural crossings like Porter Gap and Casner Gap. These gaps served as critical passage points through the higher elevations of the Pedernales River basin long before modern pavement. Settlement remains sparse, concentrated near the West Ranch area and supported by private infrastructure like the West Ranch Airport and Moursund Ranch Airport to the southeast.