2011 Map of Rhyolite Ridge SW

About this map

The Crossing serves as a central point of reference in this arid reach of Esmeralda County, where desert tracks converge near the northern edge of the survey. The landscape is defined by its drainage patterns and seasonal water sources, characterized by the rugged descent of Icehouse Canyon toward the valley floor. Sparse but vital hydrological features such as Deep Spring and Mud Spring anchor the remote terrain, marking the few named locations in an otherwise unpopulated expanse of the Nevada desert. This 2011 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey utilizes satellite imagery to document the persistent trails and natural landmarks that have guided travelers through these high-elevation basins for generations.