2018 Map of Thorn Peak

About this map

Thorn Peak and Whitecap Peak dominate this corner of the Mojave Desert in Yavapai County, marking a landscape defined by significant elevation changes and seasonal water sources. The drainages of Bridle Cr and the Santa Maria River North Fork carve through the terrain, supported by a network of vital tanks and springs such as Moonshine Spring, Highway Spring, and Pastore Tank. These water features were essential for ranching and travel in this arid region, as evidenced by the namesake Thorn Peak Tank and Crosby Mountain Tank. To the south, the Santa Maria River Rd provides one of the few established transit corridors through the drainage basins of Cottonwood Canyon and Skunk Canyon. The mapping of these remote peaks, including Crosby Mtn and Hayes Peak, illustrates the challenging topography of the Arizona desert borderlands during the early 21st century.