2020 Map of Porcupine Butte

About this map

Porcupine Butte rises as a central landmark in this portion of Wheeler County, where the high desert landscape is deeply carved by an intricate network of drainages. The topography is defined by the convergence of several named canyons, including Metteer Canyon, Rhodes Canyon, and Bales Canyon, which feed into larger systems like Pine Cr. Traces of early land use and water management are evident in the naming of features such as Old Mill Canyon and Stone Cabin Cr, suggesting a history of localized industry and seasonal habitation near vital water sources like Coates Spring and Storr Spring. The map documents a rugged terrain shaped by the W Fork Butte Cr and Cripple Cr, providing a detailed look at the geographic character of this rural Oregon interior during the early twenty-first century.