Now I *am* confused. Based on the coordinates you provided above, you're saying that the 9400' closed contour is truly the range-highpoint (and thus the map is missing four contour lines? Is that what you meant?
No; I made a mistake as I had both LoJ pages (Milford Needle and Granite Peak) opened at once and copied the wrong coordinates.
I edited the message above.
Assuming that was an error, it seems there's a nomenclature issue... is Milford Needle the 9400' closed contour or is it the 9582 spot elevation (and range HP)? The
The highpoint seems the common useage, at least from the Milford side of the range. It may be possible that some refer to the entire massif a Granite Peak(?).
it seems that John's current solution -- three listed peaks: Milford Needle (9420', unranked), Mineral Mountains HP (9582', the technical range HP), and Granite Peak (9580', unranked) -- best reflects the USGS data.
Indeed. I think John's current solution is brilliant. The only reason I pointed it out is to emphasis that what is labeled as Granite Peak on the map (9580) wouldn't be the correct point to climb. If both points were of equal difficulty, it wouldn't matter so much as you could easily bag both, but in this case one is very technical while the other just a scramble.
Anyway, concerning the USGS maps, too bad they are so confusing in this region. Some interesting examples:
As an example, the big high peak east of this one. The USGS maps call it Mount Baldy, the Forest Service Maps and (most that I've see at least) Road maps call it Baldy Peak and the locals seem to call it Beaver Baldy.
USGS maps do not even agree with USGS maps of different scales on many of the peaks in the area. Check this one out:
http://www.mytopo.com/maps/index.cfm?se ... rys+NippleThe 1:100,000 USGS maps label the peak as Marys Nipple. The 7.5 Minute USGS map labels the peak as Mollies Nipple. The Forest Service Map says it's Musina Peak.
Not that far north of the Mineral Range, is Fool Peak. Or Fool Creek Peak. Or Scipio Peak.
http://www.mytopo.com/maps/index.cfm?se ... =Fool+PeakThe USGS 1:250,000 map labels the peak as Fool Peak. The USGS 7.5 minute and 1:100,000 maps say it is Fool Creek Peak (which is probably the most common name from the locals living west of the peak). Some county and some road maps label the peak as Scipio Peak (which undoubtedly would only be used by those living on the east side of the range!).
In the nearby Pavant Range, Beehive Peak on the small scale USGS maps is known as Red Pyramid on the USGS state map.
The names of the peaks in the area can certainly be confusing!
Even the USGS maps of the names on the mountain ranges do not agree. What is known as the Needle Range on the USGS 1:250,000 map is labeled as both the Mountain Home Range and the Indian Peak Range on the USGS 1:100,000 and 7.5 minute maps:
http://www.mytopo.com/maps/index.cfm?se ... home+rangeRoad maps typically call the entire range the Mountain Home or Needle Range.
Pavant Butte (or Pahvant Butte on some maps) is never locally known by that name, but is always known as Sugarloaf.
It all is quite confusing! Some Colorado peaks (such as Meaden Pk.) have some confusion, but nothing like the West Desert of Utah!