2020 Map of Shale Butte

About this map

Shale Butte rises as a prominent landmark in this desert landscape of Lincoln County, defined by its volcanic topography and a network of ephemeral water bodies. This 2020 survey captures a region where seasonal moisture accumulates in depressions such as Mustard Lake, Cottontail Lake, and Shale Butte Lake, which sit northwest of the larger New Road Lake. Access across the high desert is maintained by a few established routes, primarily Shale Butte Rd and Kimama Cave Rd, which navigate the township and range grids of the Snake River Plain. The map illustrates a landscape of lava-formed terrain where small basins and ridges dictate the placement of local roads and the few reliable catchment points for water.