2013 Map of Vail

About this map

The settlement of Vail sits at the junction of several rural routes in this 2013 survey of the southern Puget Sound backcountry. The landscape is defined by the significant hydrological divide between the Deschutes River, which flows through the northern half of the quadrangle past Ruth Prairie, and the Skookumchuck River to the south. The massive Skookumchuck Reservoir dominates the central terrain, its waters held back by elevations including Baumgard Hill and Miller Hill. Local naming conventions hint at a pioneer history, with features like Bloody Run, Troller Run, and Blue Ridge marking the varied topography. The map also delineates the jurisdictional boundary where Thurston Co meets Lewis Co, crossing near the Sundown Ranch. Residential development is concentrated in small pockets like Wetica and the estates near McIntosh Valley Ln SE, contrasting with the surrounding timberlands and river valleys.