1982 Map of Rattlesnake Canyon

About this map

Rattlesnake Canyon cuts a deep, winding path through this high desert landscape, serving as the dominant geographic feature of this 1982 provisional survey. The map documents a remote ranching economy centered around isolated outposts such as Bowden Ranch, Battle Creek Ranch, and Peacock Ranch. Water management is clearly critical to survival here, evidenced by the numerous catchment systems like Lower Chimney Creek Reservoir, Upper Chimney Creek Reservoir, and Holding Corral Reservoir scattered across the basin. The presence of a Landing Strip and a network of Truck Trails underscores the challenges of navigating this terrain. Between the heights of Little Grassy Mountain and the seasonal basins of Peacock Dry Lake, the map traces a territory defined by aridity and the persistence of cattle ranching operations.