1973 Map of South of Big Pass

About this map

Utah Test and Training Range North dominates this orthophotomosaic, reflecting the mid-1970s military use of the Great Salt Lake Desert. The imagery reveals the stark reality of the Mud Flat terrain, a landscape defined by expansive salt crusts and seasonal inundation rather than traditional topography. This specific area spans the jurisdictional boundary between Box Elder Co and Tooele Co, where the featureless surface served as a controlled environment for testing and training operations. The orthophoto format provides a literal photographic perspective of the surface textures and isolation of the region, emphasizing how the desert's natural uniformity was repurposed for national defense activities during the Cold War era.