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1894 Map of Granite Range

Name: 1894 Topographic Map of Granite Range
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1905
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1905

About this map

Pyramid Lake and its neighboring Winnemucca Lake dominate this late nineteenth-century reconnaissance of the high desert basin in western Nevada. The landscape is defined by stark contrasts between prominent mountain ranges, such as the Granite Range and Lake Range, and expansive, dry basins like Mud Flat and Alkali Flat. Human activity in this arid environment is sparsely documented, centered primarily around water sources like Sheep-head Spring and Hot Springs.

A rare indication of industrial labor appears at the Salt Works 3824 located on a flat north of the lakes. This survey records the shoreline before modern water diversions significantly altered the basin's hydrology. Geologic landmarks such as The Needles at the northern tip of Pyramid Lake and the Terraced Hills provide reference points for early travelers navigating through Astor Pass and along the California Nevada boundary line.