Loading map...

2018 Map of Big Mountain

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Big Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

The Black Rock Range and its prominent peaks dominate this arid corner of Humboldt County, providing a landscape defined by seasonal water sources and steep elevation shifts. High points like Big Mtn and Little Big Mtn tower over the northern edge of the Black Rock Desert, where the terrain transitions into a complex system of canyons and ridges. The distribution of water is a primary feature of this landscape, evidenced by numerous named springs such as Opal Spring, Mustang Springs, and Running Water Spring that dot the slopes and basins.

Canyons such as Copper Canyon cut through the range, while drainage systems like Paiute Cr, Indian Cr, and Deer Cr channel intermittent flows toward the desert floor. In the central part of the quadrangle, Bawling Calf Reservoir represents a rare point of water containment in an otherwise drainage-rich but dry environment. The mapping of specific sites like Horse Spring and Mahogany Spring highlights the vital importance of these small water features for navigation and land use in this high-desert region.