Loading map...

1990 Map of Bear Buttes

Name: 1990 Topographic Map of Bear Buttes
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1990
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1990

About this map

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge dominates this high desert landscape in Humboldt County, where the topography is defined by prominent peaks and vital water sources. The terrain rises sharply to Mahogany Mountain and the distinct volcanic forms of Bear Buttes, while Trough Mountain anchors the southeastern reaches of the quadrangle. This area serves as a critical corridor for wildlife, indicated by the network of seasonal drainages and springs like Tenmile Spring and Rock Spring that dot the arid basins.

Historically significant markers include the Old Military Reservation Boundary, which cuts across the high plateau. The map details the drainage patterns of Virgin Creek and the deep incisions of Warm Springs Canyon, revealing a remote environment where survival has always depended on these scattered water points. The presence of Trough Mtn Spring and Cherry Spring further illustrates the complex hydrology required to sustain both natural life and early human passage through the Great Basin.