1990 Map of Bates Well

About this map

Bates Well stands as a vital watering point at the intersection of several desert valleys, anchoring a landscape defined by the convergence of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. This 1990 provisional survey records a region where survival once depended on such isolated wells and the mineral promise found in the high ground. Mining activity is prevalent throughout the Growler Mountains, with specific sites like the Bluebird Mine, Scarface Mountain, and numerous prospects and open pit mines scattered across the ridgelines. The terrain is bisected by seasonal drainage systems including Growler Canyon and Cuerda de Le na Wash. Evidence of early cattle ranching or transport is visible through features like the Bandeja Well and its adjacent Corral, connected by the unpaved Bates Well Road.