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1988 Map of Vinegar Hill

Name: 1988 Topographic Map of Vinegar Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

Greenhorn Mountains geography dominates this late 1980s landscape, illustrating a rugged region defined by its history of extraction and wilderness preservation. High peaks like Vinegar Hill and Ben Harrison Peak overlook a dense network of mining sites, including the Portland Mine, Tiger Mine, and the Bimetallic Mine. The map reveals the intersection of three different jurisdictions: the Umatilla National Forest, Malheur National Forest, and Whitman National Forest, showcasing how resource management and recreation overlap.

Evidence of historical activity is found at Camp Simms and Lemon Cabin, while the presence of features like Dry Ditch and numerous prospects indicates the extensive water and mineral engineering of the era. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages such as Boulder Creek and Vinegar Creek, which flow through the North Fork John Day Wilderness, providing a clear look at the area's physical isolation and its utility for both mining and high-altitude grazing at Cow Camp Meadows.