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2004 Map of Wildcat Hill

Name: 2004 Topographic Map of Wildcat Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2007
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2007

About this map

Tonto National Forest land dominates this section of the Arizona desert, where the rugged topography of the Mazatzal Mountains meets the outskirts of development. The settlement at Cave Creek and the historical footprint of Browns Ranch anchor the human geography of the area, illustrating the transition from traditional ranching and mining roots to a modern recreational landscape. Distinctive peaks including Wildcat Hill, Lone Mountain, and Granite Mountain define the horizon, while important water sources like Wildcat Tank, Bootlegger Tank, and Blue Mtn Spring provided essential resources for stock and travel in an arid environment.

The map reveals a mix of old desert trails and emerging infrastructure, such as Macdonald Road and Bartlett Lake Road. While the Desert Mountain Golf Course represents newer land use, the presence of various unnamed water tanks and seasonal washes like Camp Creek and Blue Wash highlight the enduring natural constraints of the region. This document serves as a detailed record of the Maricopa County backcountry just as the surrounding suburban sprawl began to press against the protected forest boundaries.