2018 Map of Salt Water Spring

About this map

Black Rock Desert dominates the western reaches of this landscape, where the flat, arid basin meets the rising slopes of the Jackson Mountains. This terrain transition is marked by a series of vital water sources that sustained early ranching and travel through the high desert, including Salt Water Spring, Hot Spring, and Butts Spring. The presence of Jackson Cr Slough at the foot of the mountains suggests a seasonal drainage pattern where water occasionally reaches the desert floor from higher elevations. The remote nature of this Humboldt County area is emphasized by the singular presence of Jackson Creek Ranch Rd, which winds through the central valley and navigates the breaks of Black Canyon and Rattlesnake Canyon. This survey captures a classic Great Basin environment where settlement and movement are dictated by the scarce proximity of springs and the steep canyons of the desert range.