2012 Map of Black Butte

About this map

Black Butte rises as the central topographic landmark in this high-desert region of Elko County, where the landscape is defined by a network of seasonal water sources and isolated ranching outposts. The drainage pattern is anchored by the southward flow of Burnt Creek and its tributary, North Fork Burnt Creek, which cut through the arid terrain. Human presence in this corner of Nevada is tied to the availability of water, evidenced by the cluster of named springs including Antelope Springs and West Antelope Spring. Travel through this area relies on a sparse network of unpaved routes, such as the Oneil-Deeth Rd and Co Rd 754, which connect scattered homesteads like Thurston Ranch, Uhlig Ranch, and the CD Ranch. This 2012 survey illustrates the enduring ranching character of the Great Basin, where named family holdings remain the primary markers of settlement across the wide open range.