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1953 Map of Spruce Mountain

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Spruce Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Spruce Mountain Ridge dominates this mid-century landscape in Elko County, serving as a high-altitude spine between the broad basins of Clover Valley and Independence Valley. This area reflects a significant era of Great Basin mineral exploration and high-desert ranching, evidenced by the cluster of workings concentrated around the peak of Spruce Mountain. The townsite of Sprucemont is recorded here alongside numerous active and dormant claims, including the Black Forest Mine, Monarch Mine, and Ada H Mine.

Water management in this arid environment is clearly mapped through a network of vital sources like Townsite Spring and Busco Spring, as well as a Pipeline and several windmills. The presence of a Shearing Corral and scattered Gravel Pits illustrates the dual economy of livestock and resource extraction that shaped this part of Nevada. The Spruce Mountain Road and various jeep trails provide the primary access through this complex terrain of canyons and alluvial fans.