2014 Map of Astor Pass

About this map

Astor Pass and Sand Pass serve as the primary topographic focal points in this arid corner of Washoe County. The landscape is defined by the convergence of several high-desert landforms, including the Sand Range, Smoke Creek Mountains, and the Virginia Mountains. A network of unpaved desert routes, such as Surprise Valley Rd and Fish Springs Rd, trace the low ground between the Never Sweat Hills and Terraced Hills, hinting at the traditional movement of people and livestock through this high basin. Significant for local hydrology and historical survival in this environment are the dispersed water sources, including Mocho Spring Number Two, Upper Adobe Spring, and Lower Adobe Spring. The map also details the northeastern edge of Honey Lake Valley, illustrating a complex terrain of basins and ridges that has long shaped navigation in the western Great Basin.