2011 Map of McKinney Pass

About this map

McKinney Pass serves as a central navigation point in this portion of Pershing County, where a network of trails and unimproved roads connects isolated water sources and mountain gaps. The arid terrain is defined by its vital springs, such as Polkinghorne Spring in the northeast and Twin Springs to the west, which likely dictated the placement of early ranching and transit corridors. The presence of Ringling Ranch near Kyle Spring illustrates the enduring human reliance on these rare perennial water points in the Nevada desert. Topographic features like Pleasant Valley Beacon provide high-ground landmarks for the surveyor, while deep drainages including Root Spring Canyon and Grayson Canyon carve through the high desert floor, revealing the complex hydrology of the Great Basin landscape.