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1990 Map of Picture Gorge West

Name: 1990 Topographic Map of Picture Gorge West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1990
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1990

About this map

The John Day River carves a dramatic path through the landscape of Wheeler and Grant counties, where the geological history of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is on full display. This 1990 provisional survey documents a region defined by its sharp verticality, from the towering landmark of Sheep Rock to the narrow passage of Picture Gorge in the southeast. Ranching history is deeply etched into the terrain, with family-named operations like the Cant Ranch and Humphrey Ranch positioned along the river's fertile edge.

Water sources are critical in this arid basin, evidenced by the numerous named springs and creeks such as Cal Smith Spring and Johnny Kirk Spring. The drainage network, including Mountain Creek and Rock Creek, dictates the location of early roads and settlements. Higher elevations like Hog Ridge provide a stark contrast to the lower Butler Basin, illustrating the complex topography that both challenged and supported early inhabitants of this part of Oregon.