2011 Map of Loaf of Bread Butte

About this map

Loaf of Bread Butte defines the western horizon of this Custer County landscape, overlooking an intricate network of seasonal drainages that characterize the high plains of eastern Montana. The map reveals a complex hydrographic system where Second Creek and its primary tributaries, including the North Fork Second Creek and South Fork Second Creek, carve through the terrain. These waterways, along with others like Fivemile Creek and Timothy Creek, dictate the movement and settlement patterns in this ranching country. Sparse road networks follow the natural contours established by these creek beds and ridges, illustrating the relationship between the physical geography and rural infrastructure in the early 21st century. The survey provides a clear view of the drainage patterns from Johnson Creek in the north to MS Creek in the south.