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2023 Map of Shoestring Ridge

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Shoestring Ridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The John Day Wild and Scenic River carves a deep path through this corner of North Central Oregon, defining the boundary between Gilliam and Sherman Counties. The landscape is dominated by a complex system of ridges and canyons, where massive landforms like Shoestring Ridge and North Pole Ridge overlook a network of seasonal drainages. High points such as Nelson Butte and the distinctive Table Rock provide orientation across the high plateau, while names like Beef Hollow and Cordwood Canyon suggest the early ranching and resource-gathering history of the region.

Water is a critical element of this environment, with Thirtymile Creek and Schilling Spring providing rare relief in an otherwise arid expanse of upland draws. Transportation is limited to a few arterial routes like Richmond Rd and Seales Rd, which follow the more accessible terrain of the northern ridges. This survey illustrates the intricate topography of the Columbia Plateau's drainage systems and the sparse, isolated nature of the settlements near Buckskin Canyon and Zigzag Canyon.