1986 Map of Dolly Varden

About this map

The Pequop Mountains dominate the western horizon of this high-desert landscape, their steep slopes giving way to the expansive floor of the Goshute Valley. The settlement at Dolly Varden sits at a critical junction of routes through the basin, representing a remote outpost in eastern Elko County during the mid-1980s. This survey records a network of ephemeral watercourses and resource extraction sites, including drainage from Indian Creek and Nelson Creek which flow toward the valley floor. Evidence of mineral exploration is present near the mountain foothills, where a Prospect is noted alongside numerous 4wd tracks. The map captures a moment when the region remained largely undeveloped, defined by its traditional ranching and mining character and the vast distances between named landmarks.