1981 Map of Rye Patch Canyon

About this map

Duck Flat dominates the northern expanse of this high-desert Nevada landscape, where the open basin meets the rising slopes of the Buffalo Hills. The area's pastoral history is anchored by the Rye Patch Sheep Camp, reflecting a period when seasonal grazing shaped the usage of these arid canyons. Remote access across this terrain was provided by the Buckhorn Road, which cuts through the topographical complexity of Rye Patch Canyon and Cedar Canyon. Small water sources such as Willow Springs and Chicken Spring represent the critical, sparse infrastructure necessary for livestock and travel in the Great Basin. The map also records early industrial traces in the form of several Borrow Pit excavations scattered near the canyons, indicating local material extraction for road maintenance or ranching needs.