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2022 Map of Housetop Mountains

Name: 2022 Topographic Map of Housetop Mountains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2022
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2022

About this map

The Housetop Mountains dominate the southern half of this Brewster County landscape, rising out of a terrain carved by ephemeral desert drainage systems. The northern reaches are anchored by Spencer Mtn, while the crossing of Highway 90 provides the primary east-west transit corridor through the region. This modern survey illustrates the classic West Texas topography of basins and ranges, where water—though scarce—has defined the names and shapes of the land.

Local landmarks such as Lemons Gap and the seasonal paths of Willow Cr and Dry Cr reveal the historical importance of natural passes and watercourses in navigating this high-elevation territory. Deep incisions into the plateaus, such as Fin Del Mundo Canyon and Dagger Draw, showcase the significant elevation changes that have historically challenged transportation and land use in this part of the Chihuahuan Desert.