1987 Map of West of Gold Mountain

About this map

Von Schmidt Line (1873) cuts diagonally across this high-desert landscape, marking the historic boundary between Nevada and California. This 1987 survey documents a remote border region defined by the intersection of Esmeralda County and Inyo County. The terrain is characterized by prominent peaks such as Cone 6537 and Crystal 6140, which rise above the drainage of Oriental Wash. The presence of numerous prospects scattered throughout the hillsides indicates a history of mineral exploration in these arid mountains. The network of 4wd tracks provides the only access through the winding washes, illustrating the persistent isolation and rugged nature of the state-line backcountry during the late twentieth century.