1986 Map of Yellow Medicine Butte

About this map

Gila Bend Mountains dominate this arid landscape, rising sharply above the desert floor in western Maricopa County. This mid-1980s topographical study reveals a terrain shaped by seasonal watercourses like Yellow Medicine Wash and Loudermilk Wash, which drain the high ridges toward the broad Hyder Valley below. Evidence of prospecting is scattered across the slopes, with several Mine Shafts and a Prospect located near the northern ridges, indicating the era's ongoing mineral exploration. Distinctive geological formations serve as primary navigational landmarks, most notably the prominent Yellow Medicine Butte and the tiered profile of Face Mountain to the south. The presence of Seep Tank in the northwest corner highlights the critical and rare water sources necessary for desert transit. Near the southern edge of the mountains, Montezuma Head stands as a significant vertical feature overlooking the alluvial plains.