2021 Map of Inspiration

About this map

The copper-rich landscape of Gila County defines this recent survey, centered on the industrial infrastructure of Inspiration and the northwestern edge of Miami. Large-scale mining operations have reshaped the terrain, most notably at Porphyry Mtn and the massive Cottonwood Tailings Pond. The map reveals a complex network of canyons and gulches, such as Gold Gulch and Liveoak Gulch, that cut through the high desert peaks of the Tonto National Forest. Water sources are vital markers in this arid environment, with dozens of named springs like Bootlegger Spring and Prince Charming Spring scattered across the slopes of Sleeping Beauty Peak and Needle Mtn. These features, along with the transition from industrial zones to protected forest land, provide a detailed look at the modern footprint of Arizona's copper mining history.