1962 Map of Wood Gulch

About this map

The Columbia River forms a massive geographical and political divide here, separating Washington from Oregon and Klickitat and Gilliam counties. Along the northern bank, the Burlington Northern railroad tracks trace the shoreline, while the Union Pacific runs along the southern bank through Umatilla County. The landscape is dominated by high plateau country carved by steep drainages like Wood Gulch and Juniper Canyon, which fall toward Columbia Lake. Local life is anchored at the Goodknight Ranch and Whitmore Ranch, with an isolated Cem (cemetery) located near the Sixprong Road junction. Near the settlement of Smythe, a Radio Tower stands as a modern landmark above the deep incision of Big Horn Canyon.