2018 Map of Black Gap

About this map

White Hills and the northern reaches of the Sauceda Mountains dominate this arid landscape in Maricopa County. The terrain is characterized by prominent high ground such as Blindman Butte and the narrow passage at Black Gap, which serves as a natural corridor for the modern Highway 85 corridor. Drainage across the desert floor is primarily through the Sauceda Wash in the northeast. This 2018 survey illustrates the persistent importance of topographic gaps in directing transportation through the desert, where S Potatoe Rd and the main highway trace paths between the volcanic hills. The map is a detailed record of the public land survey system, showing township and range boundaries including t7s r6w and t7s r5w that define the regional spatial organization.