2020 Map of Rye Valley

About this map

Rye Valley serves as the focal point of this high-desert landscape in eastern Oregon, situated near the boundary where Baker County meets Malheur County. The map details a complex network of springs and gulches essential for life in this arid terrain, including Suitter Spring, Quaker Spring, and the prominent Opal Mine Draw. The local history of the valley is anchored by the Rye Valley Cem and the East Fork Rattlesnake Gulch, while high peaks like Pedro Mtn and Weatherby Mtn dominate the skyline. The presence of numerous named draws and gulches such as Whisky Gulch and Dumas Gulch points to a landscape shaped by both natural erosion and historical human activity, likely linked to the region's mining and ranching past. Roads like Shirttail Creek Rd and Durbin Creek Rd trace the paths through the high flats and along the Dixie Cr drainage system.