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1886 Map of Disaster

Name: 1886 Topographic Map of Disaster
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1886
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1886

About this map

Mason's Crossing serves as a lonely junction for early trails in this northern Nevada landscape, surveyed during the 1880s under Director J.W. Powell. The area is defined by the massive Pine Forest Mountains and Jackson Mountains, which rise between the arid expanse of the Black Rock Desert and the Kings River Valley. Numerous natural thermal features are noted, with Hot Springs appearing frequently along the base of the ranges and near the Thousand Creek drainage.

The map details an intricate drainage system where seasonal waters struggle against the high desert evaporation, terminating at the Sink of Quinn River or pooling in the Quinn River Lakes. To the north, the prominence of Disaster Peak overlooks the remote corridor of Thacker Pass. This 1886 edition preserves the locations of early meadows and springs such as Pahute Meadows and Cove Meadows, which were essential landmarks for pioneers and livestock traversing this portion of Humboldt.