DE SOTO

De Soto, Vernon County. Aug. 24,1974. Altitude c. 1,000 ft. The community of De Soto is seen in a high oblique view to the northeastern horizon from a position over the Mississippi River.  It is located on a terrace of the river and extends part way up a prominent valley into the plateau-like uplands east of the Mississippi.  Highway 82 follows the valley away from the observer.  Steep bluffs rise abruptly from the valley sides.  The cooler and more moist north-facing slopes on the right side of the valley support denser woodland cover than the drier south-facing slopes at left.