1987 Map of Fourmile Butte

About this map

The South Fork Owyhee River snakes through the high-desert landscape of Elko County, forming a deep, winding channel that anchors this 1987 survey. Located in the northern reaches of the state, the area is defined by the broad drainage systems of Bull Run and Deep Creek which feed into the main river corridor. Human presence in this isolated terrain is centered on the YP Ranch, located near the northern edge of the sheet. The map documents the network of primitive 4wd tracks that provide the only access across the high ground between the river and Fourmile Butte. This area serves as a primary example of Nevada's ranching and open-range country during the late 20th century, where the geology of Wilson Creek Canyon and the surrounding drainages dictated the placement of early roads and water-access points.