2011 Map of Messix Peak

About this map

The Great Salt Lake dominates this northern Utah landscape, where the waters of Gunnison Bay and Rozel Bay meet the arid slopes of the Promontory Mountains. This 2011 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey captures the high-desert terrain where dramatic elevation changes lead from the shoreline up to peaks like Mount Tarpey and Messix Peak. The geography is defined by deep incisions in the mountain range, such as Maple Canyon and Broadmouth Canyon, which provide natural drainage towards the salt flats. Freshwater sources remain critical markers in this environment, with Indian Springs and Rose Spring appearing along the eastern margin of the lake. The map illustrates the stark transition between the vast, mineral-rich lake bed and the high, rocky ridges that define the western edge of the Promontory range.