1965 Map of Baragan Mtn

About this map

Baragan Mountain rises as the central landmark of this arid landscape in Yuma County, surrounded by a complex network of ephemeral drainage systems. Surveyed in the mid-1960s, the map reveals a terrain where water management is critical, evidenced by the dispersed Well and Wells labels across the flats. The Hyder Valley dominates the eastern portion of the sheet, providing a relatively level corridor for transport and seasonal water flow. Human activity is defined by long-distance transit, with the Palomas Harquahala Road cutting north-south through the western desert while the Southern Pacific railroad skirts the southern edge. The naming of various washes, such as Red Raven Wash, Clanton Wash, and Deadman Wash, suggests the importance of these seasonal landmarks for navigation and local history in a territory where permanent landmarks are few and far between.