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1973 Map of The Watchman

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of The Watchman
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

The volcanic landscape of the Craters of the Moon National Monument dominates this 1970s survey, revealing a complex network of geological formations and subterranean passages. Substantial lava flows are punctuated by unique features such as the Tom Thumb Tunnel and the Lava River Cave, illustrating the area's recent volcanic history. Notable landmarks like The Watchman and The Sentinel provide vertical relief against the expansive fields of Lava.

Ephemeral water sources, critical in this arid environment, are documented at Surprise Waterhole, Bearsden Waterhole, and Little Prairie Waterhole. The map traces the Wilderness Boundary through the Little Prairie, identifying several specific caves including Last Chance Cave, Horseshoe Cave, and the poetically named Bridge of Tears. These labels provide precise locations for geological research and high-desert exploration within the monument's borders.