2015 Map of Deer Creek Peak

About this map

Jackson Mountains dominate the central landscape of this 2015 survey, where the arid heights of Deer Creek Peak overlook the northeastern edge of the Black Rock Desert. This portion of Humboldt County is defined by its isolation and its sparse water sources, which were vital for early ranching and travel in the Great Basin. The Quinn River skirts the northwest corner of the sheet, while intermittent drainages like Deer Cr and Happy Cr flow from the high country toward the desert floor. Remote outposts and historic water points such as Willow Springs and Poorman Spring are accessible only by unpaved tracks like Jackson Ranch Rd and Leonard Creek Rd. The map illustrates a landscape where survival depended on the careful management of these few perennial springs and the movement of livestock between the basins and the high peaks.