1959 Map of Arroyo Tapiado

About this map

Anza - Borrego Desert State Park dominates this desert landscape, where the historical Old Overland Stage Route cuts through the canyon floor. This survey, photoinspected in the mid-1970s, captures the intricate drainage network of the Carrizo Badlands and the massive plateaus of West Mesa, Middle Mesa, and East Mesa. Life in this arid environment is pinpointed at rare water sources and landmarks like Mesquite Oasis, Palm Spring, and the Well of the Eight Echoes. The map meticulously details the erosional features of the Tierra Blanca Mountains and the convergence of seasonal washes, including Arroyo Seco del Diablo and Fish Creek Wash. These routes and springs serve as critical markers for understanding the historical travel corridors that predated modern infrastructure in the California desert.