1970 Map of Paymaster Ridge

About this map

Paymaster Ridge dominates this central Nevada landscape, recorded here as it appeared in the late 1960s. The topography is defined by significant elevation changes and arid depressions, notably the broad Alkali Lake (Depression) and the sprawling Clayton Valley (Depression). Localized water sources like Pearl Hot Springs and Twin Springs were essential landmarks for travelers navigating this environment, which was primarily traversed via unpaved routes such as Salt Spring Road and Pearl Road. Numerous labels for Prospects and individual Prospect sites scattered along the slopes of Paymaster Canyon and the Weepah Hills suggest a history of mineral exploration throughout the Esmeralda County backcountry. The arrangement of these mining markers alongside faint tracks like Silver Peak Road provides insight into the logistical challenges of resource extraction in this high-desert terrain.