1987 Map of North of Silver Peak

About this map

Big Smoky Valley dominates the western portion of this Great Basin landscape, characterized by the expansive Alkali Flat and intermittent drainage patterns. To the east, the Weepah Hills rise sharply, marked by an intensive history of mineral exploration indicated by numerous Prospects and the Alum Mine. Evidence of early industrial infrastructure is visible in the abandoned Railroad Grade that skirts the valley floor, alongside isolated outposts like Minnesota Well and Alum Well. This 1987 revision of earlier surveys preserves the location of Ruins and dry Waterfalls, providing a detailed record of the desert's physical and human geography during the late twentieth century. The map effectively captures the intersection of natural geologic features, such as the Monocline, with the sparse but significant traces of human activity in Esmeralda County.