2012 Map of Noble Butte

About this map

Riverdale sits along the southern edge of this Mendocino County landscape, where the S Fork Eel River winds through a series of clearings and meadows. The map documents a rugged interior defined by family-named landmarks and rural outposts such as Pratt Place, Milsted Ranch, and Buckhorn Ranch. Significant forest features like the Captain Miles Standish Tree and the many open clearings known as "openings"—including Peterson Opening and Hiltabidels Opening—reveal a history of timber management and grazing. Outdoor recreation is centered around the Hickey Campground and Rock Creek Campground, situated near lush riparian zones like Talsma Meadow and Cabin Meadow. The complex drainage system of the E Branch S Fork Eel River and its numerous tributaries, such as Red Mountain Cr and McCoy Cr, provides a clear view of the area's hydrology before more recent developments changed the regional character.