1962 Map of Trail Ridge

About this map

Nellis Air Force Range dominates this 1960s desert landscape in Nye County, surveyed in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission. The topography is defined by sharp elevation changes and deep drainage systems, most notably the winding paths of Thirsty Canyon and East Thirsty Canyon. To the west, the prominent peak of Black Mountain stands near the complex geological formations of the Boulder Cuesta and Hidden Cliff. The area is marked by a network of high-altitude ridges and escarpments, including the namesake Trail Ridge and the sheer face of Ribbon Cliff. Apart from occasional Jeep Trails, the terrain remains largely undeveloped, reflecting the specialized military and scientific use of the land during the mid-century era of atomic research.