2018 Map of Spruce Mountain

About this map

Sprucemont sits on the western flank of the high desert peaks in Elko County, serving as a rare point of named settlement in this high-altitude landscape. The terrain is dominated by Spruce Mtn and the long spine of Spruce Mtn Ridge, where the high elevation creates a vital drainage system for the surrounding basin. This network of water is evidenced by numerous high-country water sources including Spruce Spring, Latham Spring, and Sweeny Spring. The presence of Townsite Spring near the settlement area suggests the importance of reliable water in sustaining the local mining or ranching operations that historically defined these remote interior ranges. Access to the high peaks is provided by a network of Bureau of Land Management routes such as BLM RD 1037 and BLM RD 1528, which wind through the canyons and across the ridges of the Independence Valley region.