1973 Map of P X Flat

About this map

Guadalupe Mountains National Park dominates the eastern half of this 1970s landscape, where the high peaks of the Guadalupe Mountains drop sharply into the arid lowlands of the Salt Basin. This survey preserves the path of the historic Butterfield Trail as it winds through the desert floor west of Cutoff Ridge, providing a clear record of the overland transit corridor used during the mid-19th century. The terrain is defined by extreme elevation changes between Bush Mountain and the expansive Crow Flats, punctuated by remote water sources critical for ranching and travel in this environment. Named points like Ables Well, Williams Ranch, and Eclipse Well highlight the sparse human footprint and the reliance on isolated springs and wells, such as Bone Spring, to sustain life in the shadows of the Brokeoff Mountains.