2012 Map of Blind Hills

About this map

The Clipper Mountains rise in the southwestern portion of this Mojave Desert landscape, providing a stark geographic anchor to an area defined by wide alluvial plains and seasonal drainages. In this arid corner of San Bernardino County, vital water sources like Hummingbird Spring and prominent elevations such as Halfway Hill served as essential landmarks for desert travelers long before modern infrastructure. The map illustrates a high-desert environment where the vast Black Canyon Wash cuts through the terrain, illustrating the powerful role of flash floods in shaping the local geology. This 2012 survey captures the intersection of natural isolation and human transit, showing the transit corridors of Essex Rd and Hidden Hills Rd as they traverse the slopes of the Blind Hills. The presence of these named desert tracks highlights the continued importance of remote access routes in a region otherwise dominated by the open desert floor.