1990 Map of Shyster Butte

About this map

Bilk Creek Mountains dominate this high-altitude landscape in Humboldt County, where water sources dictate the geography of human activity and survival. The drainage network is anchored by Shyster Creek and Bilk Creek, with the rugged terrain punctuated by prominent high points like Shyster Butte, Granite Mountain, and Black Butte. This 1990 provisional survey, based on 1980s aerial photography and field checks, highlights a ranching or grazing environment where named springs provide the most vital landmarks. Historically significant water sources such as Etchart Springs, Gartiez Spring, and Texas Springs are meticulously mapped alongside remote features like Lovely Valley Creek and Summit Spring. The absence of developed towns and the presence of numerous stock ponds and springs suggest a landscape dedicated to seasonal livestock range, where reliable water points like Little Sage Hen Spring were essential for operations in the Great Basin interior.