1968 Map of Tombstone Canyon

About this map

Donner und Blitzen River carves a deep, serpentine path through the center of this high-elevation landscape, joined by the Little Donner und Blitzen River near the eastern edge of the quadrangle. The map reveals the isolation of Harney County ranching life in the late 1960s, centering on the historic Riddle Ranch and the Weaver Place. These remote outposts are connected by a network of unimproved roads and jeep trails that navigate the steep slopes of Steens Mountain. To the west, the namesake Tombstone Canyon cuts through the terrain, while landmarks like Big Spring and Desert Meadow suggest the critical role of water sources in this arid high-desert environment. The topography is dominated by dramatic elevation changes, where cattle trails and corrals mark the human imprint on the high meadows and canyons.