1962 Map of Summit Ridge

About this map

Summit Ridge and the high plateau of the Columbia River basin define this landscape in the early 1960s, showing a transition from upland drainages to the deep cut of the Deschutes River. The southeastern corner reveals a critical transportation corridor where the Oregon Trunk and Spokane Portland and Seattle Ry follows the river's path, marking the boundary between Wasco and Sherman counties. The terrain is deeply dissected by numerous dry runs and drainages, including Bull Run Canyon, Ferry Canyon, and Craft Canyon, which illustrate the erosion patterns characteristic of this region. Isolated water sources like Spring and Well are noted across the high ground, while the Center Ridge Road provides one of the few primary access routes through the southern portion of the quadrangle. This survey offers a precise look at the land before modern intensive development, documenting the sparse agricultural and transit infrastructure of the high desert.