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1985 Map of Palisade

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Palisade
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Humboldt River carves a deep path through Palisade Canyon, where the settlement of Palisade sits at a critical junction of geography and transport. This 1980s landscape is defined by the sharp transition between the Cortez Mountains and the Pinon Range, with family-named holdings like Raine Ranch and Tomera Ranch occupying the more accessible basins. The presence of a Cem near the river and the Gerald railroad point suggests the long-standing human reliance on this narrow corridor.

Water remains the most vital resource in this arid environment, evidenced by the numerous named water sources such as Emigrant Spring, Rock Spring, and a Flowing Well near the canyon floor. Industrial activity is concentrated along the river and rail lines, including Duggan Spur and various Prospect sites, while the wider Pine Valley remains dominated by ranching and the seasonal flows of Pine Creek.