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1981 Map of Plot Butte

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Plot Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Deschutes National Forest encompasses this high volcanic plateau, where the landscape is defined by cinder cones and expansive pumice deposits. The 1981 mapping records a sparse but functional network of water sources essential for forest management and grazing, including Sand Spring, the Plot Butte Waterhole, and a Water Tank near Ko Butte. A unique geological landmark, Lavacicle Cave, is situated in the central portion of the quadrangle, illustrating the area's subterranean volcanic history.

Evidence of human activity is limited to recreational and industrial sites, such as the Campground near Pumice Springs and a Cinder Pit near the northern boundary. Transportation across the Pumice Flat is primarily via four-wheel-drive tracks and fire roads, connecting remote points like Fox Butte Corral and a Heliport. This survey captures the region before modern development, focusing on the distinct buttes—Mahogany Butte, Antelope Butte, and Watkins Butte—that serve as the primary navigational landmarks for this high-desert environment.