2023 Map of Skull Creek Butte

About this map

Catlow Rim dominates this high-desert landscape in Harney County, marking the dramatic transition into the Catlow Valley below. This 2023 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey documents a remote corner of the Oregon Outback where the water and terrain dictate the path of human activity. Transportation follows established routes like the Echart Grade and Catlow Valley Rd, while vital water sources such as Bohemian Spring and O'Keefe Springs appear alongside man-made infrastructure like the Stockwater Ditch. To the east, the eponymous Skull Creek Butte overlooks the junction of Skull Creek and Cottonwood Creek. The map provides a detailed view of the complex drainages of Sixmile Creek and Pic Swale, revealing the intricate topography of the Henry Basin and its surrounding canyons.