1981 Map of Mickey Springs

About this map

Mickey Depression Basin dominates this landscape, revealing a stark geological environment in Harney County as it was documented in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The high-desert terrain is punctuated by the geothermal activity of Mickey Springs (Hot), located near the foot of Mickey Butte. Evidence of human settlement and ranching efforts in this arid basin is sparse, marked primarily by the Mickey Cabin, a Corral, and scattered Ruins. These features, along with several unnamed seasonal springs, suggest a history of intermittent land use where water was the primary constraint. The map also identifies the bed of an Ancient Lake, providing a window into the region's deeper environmental history. Travel through the basin is limited, shown primarily as 4wd tracks that connect the few established landmarks and water sources.