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2020 Map of Shoestring Ridge

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Shoestring Ridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Shoestring Ridge and the complex drainage systems of the John Day River define this high-desert plateau along the Sherman and Gilliam County line. The landscape is carved by deep water-cut features such as Thirtymile Creek and Buckskin Canyon, which emphasize the high relief between the river basin and landmarks like Nelson Butte and Table Rock. This modern survey illustrates how long-established rural paths like Richmond Road and Armstrong Canyon Road navigate the difficult terrain of the Columbia Plateau.

Water sources are vital markers in this arid environment, evidenced by the presence of Schilling Spring and Norton Spring. The naming conventions of the various gulches and canyons, from Cordwood Canyon to Meldrum Canyon, reflect the legacy of early ranching and resource extraction. Significant high points such as North Pole Ridge and Whistle Point provide a clear view of the area's topographical structure, where ridges and canyons interlock in a intricate natural pattern.