1961 Map of Mine Mountain

About this map

The Nevada Test Site occupies the majority of this 1961 topographical survey, conducted in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission during a period of intense activity in the high desert. The landscape is defined by the massive uplift of Shoshone Mountain and its Tiva Canyon, giving way to the high-elevation basin of Mid Valley. Strategically placed jeep trails and roads such as Saddle Road and Lookout Peak Rd navigate the difficult terrain, connecting remote points like Mine Mountain Junction and the prominent Jackass Divide. This map captures a strictly controlled military environment, where the topographic relief of Mine Mountain overlooks the appropriately named Barren Spot. The numerous benchmarks and survey points, including VABM Tip 4896, reflect the precise geodetic control required for operations in this corner of Nye County.