1981 Map of Sand Rock

About this map

The Lost Forest Research Natural Area dominates the northern reaches of this high desert landscape, preserving a unique ecological pocket of ponderosa pine far removed from its typical range. This 1981 survey documents the intricate topography of the Fort Rock Valley, where the shifting Sand Dunes meet the stable volcanic features of Sand Rock and Wildcat Butte. To the south, the terrain descends into the broad, alkaline expanse of Buffalo Flat and the depressions of Hansen Valley. The map records a sparsely developed area defined by its natural hydrology and isolation, with only occasional markers like a lone Well indicating human attempts to tap the groundwater beneath this arid terrain. The lack of roads and settlements illustrates the primitive state of the region's infrastructure during the late twentieth century.