2018 Map of Blackwater Mine

About this map

The Kingston Range dominates this corner of the Mojave Desert, marking the high-altitude divide between San Bernardino and Inyo counties. In the southern portion of the quadrangle, the industrial character of the landscape is defined by the Blackwater Mine and the rugged access provided by Excelsior Mine Rd. These routes and features reflect the long-standing mineral extraction history of the eastern California desert. To the northeast, the terrain descends toward the Mesquite Valley, where the steep contours of the range give way to broader desert flats. This survey by the U.S. Geological Survey provides a precise view of the topography and land management boundaries, including numerous township and range divisions that structured the settlement and development of this arid region.