2012 Map of Big Maria Mountains NW

About this map

Rice Valley dominates the central expanse of this California desert landscape, serving as a broad drainage basin between significant topographical rises. To the south, the foothills and drainages of the Big Maria Mountains define the terrain, showing the intricate network of washes that characterize this arid region. The northeastern corner of the sheet transitions into the Riverside Mountains, where the elevation change becomes more pronounced. This 2012 survey documents the undeveloped character of the eastern Riverside County desert, where the lack of human infrastructure highlights the natural drainage patterns and the geologic boundaries between these major mountain ranges.