1962 Map of Trail Ridge

About this map

Nellis Air Force Range dominates this 1962 landscape in Nye County, Nevada, presenting a high-altitude desert environment defined by stark geological formations. The topography is anchored by the prominent Trail Ridge and the heights of Black Mountain to the west. This area, mapped in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission, reflects the mid-century military and scientific utility of the Nevada desert. Sharp vertical relief is detailed through features like Ribbon Cliff, Hidden Cliff, and the narrow drainage of Thirsty Canyon. A series of Jeep Trails provide the only visible infrastructure across the Boulder Cuesta, illustrating the extreme isolation and specialized use of the territory during the Cold War era. Small pockets of vegetation are noted along the lower reaches of Thirsty and its eastern branches, providing a rare contrast to the surrounding stone.