1986 Map of Grass Valley Ranch

About this map

Grass Valley Ranch sits at the base of the Simpson Park Mountains, serving as a focal point for activity in this high-desert basin during the mid-1980s. The landscape is defined by the transition from the broad, flat Grass Valley floor to the steep eastern ridges, where numerous prospects indicate a history of mineral exploration. Water management is a primary theme of the map, evidenced by the presence of a long aqueduct and a flume designed to direct flow from drainages like Skull Creek and Callaghan Creek. The inclusion of a landing strip near the ranch underscores the necessity of aerial access for this isolated cattle and ranching operation. Perennial water sources such as Barton Spring and Steiner Creek provide essential resources in an otherwise arid environment where every well and spring is meticulously noted.