2021 Map of Hat Mountain

About this map

Hat Mountain and the Sauceda Mountains dominate the southern half of this landscape, rising above the arid desert floor in southwestern Maricopa County. This 2021 topographic record reveals a terrain shaped by dramatic elevation changes and ephemeral drainage systems, most notably the north-flowing Quilotosa Wash and Sauceda Wash. These watercourses carve through the bajadas, illustrating the complex hydrology of the Sonoran Desert where seasonal rains define the landscape. Near the center of the sheet, Black Butte stands as a prominent landmark north of the higher peaks. The map lacks modern infrastructure or permanent settlements, instead focusing on the natural topography and the Public Land Survey System divisions between t8s r4w, t8s r5w, t9s r4w, and t9s r5w, making it a valuable resource for understanding the physical geography of this protected wilderness area.