1979 Map of Cave Draw

About this map

Sheep Creek cuts a deep, winding path through the high plateau of Owyhee County, punctuated by the dramatic Big Bend of Sheep Creek and numerous caves lining the canyon walls. This 1970s landscape is defined by the arid reaches of the Blackstone Desert and J-P Desert, where seasonal water sources like Monument Lake, Catholic Lake, and Barinaga Lake provide rare relief from the surrounding sagebrush and rock. The eastern edge of the quadrangle is dominated by the steep descent into Bruneau Canyon, a formidable geological feature that creates a natural boundary for the region. Navigation across this high desert relied on a network of jeep trails connecting prominent landmarks such as Monument Butte and Catholic Butte. This survey offers a detailed look at the hydrology and topography of Bighorn Country before modern land use shifts in this isolated part of Idaho.