2020 Map of Merlin

About this map

Sexton Mountain Pass stands as a prominent geographic waypoint in this southern Oregon landscape, overlooking a series of valleys where the settlements of Merlin, Hugo, and Three Pines developed. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages with names that reflect the era's character, such as Hades Gulch, Brimstone Gulch, and Cochran Gulch. Water management is central to the area's layout, evidenced by the Kennison Reservoir, Barker Reservoir, and Werner Reservoir. To the east, Pleasant Valley contains the Pleasant Valley Cem, providing a focal point for genealogical research. The lower elevations near the Grants Pass Airport show a transition from the steeper mountain gulches to more developed valley floors where Jumpoff Joe Creek and Harris Creek converge.