The land of Minon sat "above" the land of Zarahemla (Alma 2:24), so it might have been located in the same mountain range where the valley of Gideon was located. It is not mentioned as to what side of the river the land of Minon was on. John Sorenson believes that Minon was on the west of the river Sidon because Zarahemla was on the west and Minon was "above the land of Zarahemla" (A Source Book, p. 232). However, the meaning could also be that Minon was above the land of Zarahemla on the east of the river Sidon and going along the general trail upward ("above") and southward toward the land of Nephi. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See Geographical Theory Maps]
Except We Make Haste Distance from Minon or Gideon to Zarahemla
Alma learned from spies that the Amlicites and the Lamanites were advancing "towards our city; and except we make hast they obtain possession of our city" (Alma 2:25). The "astonished" spies had returned "in great haste" "on the morrow" after learning this (Alma 2:23-25), and it says in verse 26 that the "people of Nephi took their tents and departed." Thus, the spies' mission had apparently lasted through the night until daybreak, when they probably would have seen their brethren "fleeing before the Lamanites with their flocks" (Alma 2:25). At this point the spies probably would have returned to the valley of Gideon. I get the feeling that the local land of Zarahemla ("our city") might have been within the distance of a day or two or three by the reaction of the "astonished" spies who returned in "great haste," and by the seemingly immediate action of the Nephites to "take up their tents." [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]