2016 Map of Vest

About this map

Vest and Decoy sit within a highly dissected plateau landscape in eastern Kentucky, where the topography is defined by an intricate network of narrow ridges and named hollows. The settlement pattern follows the drainage, with homes and roads clinging to the valley floors of Little Buckhorn and the Cutoff Branch. The naming conventions of the terrain offer a glimpse into local history and folklore, with evocative labels such as Deadmans Hollow, Suicide Hollow, and Splash Dam Hollow indicating past events or early timber industry practices. Higher elevations are marked by prominent peaks like Potato Knob and Grey Horse Hill, while the county lines of Breathitt, Knott, and Perry converge along the southern and western ridges. Transport in this part of the Cumberland Plateau relies on winding routes like Elmrock Decoy Rd and Hwy 1087, which navigate the tight gaps between the steep hillsides.