1973 Map of Ripple Valley

About this map

Grassy Mountains define the eastern edge of this 1973 orthophotomap, overlooking the wide expanse of Ripple Valley in Tooele County. Unlike standard topographic sheets, this orthophotomosaic provides a direct photographic record of the arid landscape, revealing the sparse vegetation and complex drainage patterns that lead toward the valley floor. Human activity is represented primarily by essential water sources and infrastructure, such as Thumb Well in the north and Swan Well further south. The map documents the intersection of the Base Line with township and range boundaries, providing a clear view of the surveying grid laid over the desert. Significant landmarks for desert navigation and resource extraction include a Borrow Pit and several View Point locations along the slopes of the mountains, which offer sightlines across the Great Salt Lake Desert region.