2014 Map of Black Gap

About this map

The White Hills and the rugged northern reaches of the Sauceda Mountains define this arid landscape in southwestern Arizona. This 2014 survey documents a sparsely settled region dominated by geological formations and desert drainage systems. A primary transit corridor, Az-85, cuts a straight diagonal through the eastern half of the map, providing the only major modernized infrastructure through the basin. The topographic detail reveals the namesake Black Gap, a narrow passage through the mountainous terrain that has historically dictated movement through this part of Maricopa County. Natural features like Blindman Butte and the ephemeral Sauceda Wash illustrate the complex drainage patterns characteristic of the Sonoran Desert, where water follows ancient paths through the volcanic and sedimentary ridges.