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2011 Map of Smelser Pass

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Smelser Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Smelser Pass and the surrounding high desert of Humboldt County are defined by isolated ranching outposts and ephemeral water sources in this 2011 survey. The landscape is marked by the presence of Tipton Ranch and Polkinghorne Ranch, reflecting the enduring agricultural history of the Great Basin. These family-named landmarks are situated near drainage systems like Wilson Creek and Ragan Creek, which trace the descent from the higher elevations down toward the valley floors.

Water management is central to life in this arid region, as evidenced by Pumpernickel Reservoir and Summit Spring. The map documents a network of unpaved roads and tracks that connect these remote points, providing a clear picture of rural infrastructure in northern Nevada at the start of the 21st century. The sparse distribution of named features underscores the vast distances between established settlements in this part of the state.