2024-03-16, 07:19 PM
The marker in your first photo is a cadastral marker. Cadastral survey markers are used to mark boundaries. Examples include section corners, quarter corners, witness corners, etc., or may exist just to note a boundary of a park, BLM land, etc. They typically do not include any information about elevation and are not related to bench marks, although they are typically marked by the same type of disc.
On your last map, which appears to be a standard 7.5 minute quad, there is a benchmark noted along with its elevation. Benchmarks can be divided into two general groups: the "vertical control points" are points that mark a very precise elevation above the standard datum plane (usually referred to as elevation above sea level) and the "horizontal control points" are points with precisely established latitude and longitude.
Other than that, I have never taught myself on townships. One member of this forum, Ski3pins, is well versed in maps and orienting himself on it without a GPS, as he is retired from a career in mountain S&R and teaching teams. You might PM him. He and his wife are currently in Death Valley.
On your last map, which appears to be a standard 7.5 minute quad, there is a benchmark noted along with its elevation. Benchmarks can be divided into two general groups: the "vertical control points" are points that mark a very precise elevation above the standard datum plane (usually referred to as elevation above sea level) and the "horizontal control points" are points with precisely established latitude and longitude.
Other than that, I have never taught myself on townships. One member of this forum, Ski3pins, is well versed in maps and orienting himself on it without a GPS, as he is retired from a career in mountain S&R and teaching teams. You might PM him. He and his wife are currently in Death Valley.
DAW
~When You Live in Nevada, "just down the road" is anywhere in the line of sight within the curvature of the earth.
~When You Live in Nevada, "just down the road" is anywhere in the line of sight within the curvature of the earth.