Loading map...

1965 Map of Turtleback Mtn.

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Turtleback Mtn.
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Turtleback Mountain stands as a prominent landmark in this arid portion of the Hyder Valley, where drainage patterns define the movement across the landscape. The map records the network of ephemeral watercourses including Deadman Wash, Nottbusch Wash, and Red Raven Wash, which carve through the desert floor between the Gila Bend Mountains and the Picacho Hills. These washes were critical navigations for early desert travelers and cattlemen, as evidenced by the presence of Dry Well and Corral Well near the valley floor.

Transportation through this remote stretch is primarily limited to the Harquahala Palomas Road and various Jeep Trails that crisscross the terrain. The presence of isolated wells and corrals suggests a history of cattle ranching and seasonal grazing in a region defined by its scarcity of permanent water. This 1965 field-checked survey provides a detailed record of these desert features before modern infrastructure altered the accessibility of the Gila River backcountry.