Loading map...

2021 Map of McDermid Ranch

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of McDermid Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

Cherry Creek Range rises sharply above the eastern expanse of Steptoe Valley, defining the high-desert character of this Elko County landscape. The map reveals a network of vital water sources essential for ranching and survival in the Great Basin, from named springs like Big Spring and Pipe Spring to the seasonal flow of McDermid Cr. The drainage patterns are clearly etched into the terrain, with East Taylor Canyon and Calf Canyon cutting through the western slopes.

Infrastructure is sparse, limited to rugged paths such as Calf Canyon Rd and Cherry Creek Rd, which follow the natural contours of the range. The presence of Currie Ponds in the northeast corner and unique landmarks like Julians Hole suggests a history of land use tied to the movement of livestock. This topographic study captures the isolation and environmental constraints that have shaped the rural ranching economy of Nevada's interior.