2018 Map of Sidehill Pass

About this map

Schell Creek Range dominates this portion of Lincoln County, defining the high-altitude divide between several prominent desert basins. The terrain transitions sharply from the broad reaches of Cave Valley and Piute Valley in the west to the higher elevations of the mountains. Critical natural water sources are sparse in this arid landscape, making Big Mud Springs a vital landmark near the center of the range. Transportation through this remote topography is limited to rugged passages such as Sidehill Pass and Big Mud Pass, which provide the only viable routes for S Cave Valley Rd to navigate the steep contours. To the east, the landscape opens again into Muleshoe Valley, where the ephemeral drainage of Coyote Wash marks the low-lying floor of the basin.