2015 Map of Tonkin Summit

About this map

The settlement of Tonkin sits at the nexus of high-desert canyon systems and seasonal water sources in central Eureka County. This high-elevation landscape is defined by the Simpson Park Mountains, where numerous natural water sources like Pat Canyon Spring and Black Spring provided essential relief for early travelers and ranchers. The geography of the region is traced through significant drainage and passage points, including McClusky Pass and the Tonkin Summit. Water management and natural hydrology appear central to the local economy, evidenced by the clustered naming of features such as Lower Tonkin Creek Spring and Upper Tonkin Creek Spring. Several canyons, including Rooster Canyon and Pete Hanson Canyon, cut through the terrain toward Denay Valley, marking the paths of historic travel routes like the Bartine to JD Ranch Rd.