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1989 Map of Big Alkali

Name: 1989 Topographic Map of Big Alkali
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

Dog Town (Site) marks a historical location in the high desert of Mono County, situated near the headwaters of Virginia Creek. This 1989 provisional survey captures a landscape defined by its thermal activity and mineral extraction, with numerous Prospect sites and geothermal features like the Travertine Quarry Hot Springs and The Hot Springs punctuating the terrain. The presence of Travertine Quarry and a Strip Mine near Cinnabar Canyon underscores the area's geological and industrial utility during the late twentieth century.

Water management and ranching history are evident through features such as Dynamo Pond and Point Ranch in the west, while the eastern portion is dominated by the Bodie Hills. The transition from the Toiyabe National Forest into the open drainage of Big Alkali Flat reveals a complex geography of canyons and meadows, including Morman Meadow and Lower Summers Meadows, which have supported seasonal grazing and transit for generations in this part of California.