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1953 Map of Spruce Mountain 4

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Spruce Mountain 4
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The Spruce Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in Elko County, serving as a massive topographical divide between the Independence Valley to the northwest and the Goshute Valley to the southeast. At the base of these peaks, the rail corridors define the region's connectivity during the early 1950s, with the Western Pacific railroad skirting the northern foothills and the Nevada Northern cutting through the eastern flats near Nelson.

Water sources are critical landmarks in this arid terrain, marked by several distinct points including Boone Spring, Lower Boone Spring, and Flowery Lake. Small settlement points such as Dolly Varden and Hogan provide evidence of historical ranching or rail stops. Deep interior features like Ninemile Canyon and the Coyote Basin offer a detailed look at the drainage patterns and landforms that shaped travel and land use in this part of northeastern Nevada.