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2017 Map of Sterling Creek

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Sterling Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

The settlement of Buncom serves as a focal point in this southern Oregon landscape, where the legacy of hydraulic mining and early irrigation is etched into the terrain. The Sterling Mine Ditch Trail follows the path of a historic water conveyance system that once served gold operations, winding past numerous named drainages such as Sailor Gulch and Miller Gulch. The Little Applegate River cuts through the southern portion of the quadrangle, flanked by numerous gulches that speak to the area's prospecting past, including McCormick Gulch and Cantrall Gulch.

High points like Anderson Butte and Nelson Mtn overlook a complex network of forest roads and trails within the Rogue River National Forest. Family and local history can be traced through sites like the Sterling Cem and water features such as China Ditch and Schlesinger Reservoir. This 2017 update reflects the modern recreational and conservation status of a region deeply rooted in the mining developments of the Jackson County hills.