1972 Map of Rattlesnake Butte

About this map

Lava Flow dominates this high-desert landscape in the early 1970s, marking a stark volcanic field that stretches across the Blaine and Power County boundary. The geological survey reveals a terrain defined by its prehistoric activity, where the jagged basalt formations give way to the more open Pleasant Valley in the southeast. Human activity is sparse and focused on the necessities of range life, evidenced by a remote Corral and a lone Well. Standing as the primary landmark in this expansive area, Rattlesnake Butte rises above the surrounding contours, serving as a navigational waypoint for those traversing the Snake River Plain. This map provides a technical look at the intersection of geology and ranching, recording the few improved sites within a largely untouched natural environment.