1957 Map of Elk Mountain

About this map

Elk Mountain dominates the high-desert terrain of northern Nevada near the Idaho border, where the headwaters of numerous creeks diverge across the Humboldt National Forest. This 1957 field-checked survey reveals a remote landscape defined by cattle ranching and early administrative outposts, notably the O'Neil Ranger Sta and the O'Neil Ranch situated along the lower draws. The complex topography is punctuated by distinctive geological formations such as White Elephant Butte and Red Elephant Butte, with the drainage network of Salmon Falls Creek carving through the eastern canyons. A sparse network of jeep trails provides the only access through this country, connecting various livestock springs like Bull Camp Spring and Elk Spring. The map documents the intersection of Owyhee, Elko, and Twin Falls counties, illustrating a region where high-altitude ridges like Buckhorn Ridge served as critical landmarks for early surveyors and ranchers.