Loading map...

1941 Map of Caliente Mountain

Name: 1941 Topographic Map of Caliente Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

Soda Lake sits at the northern end of this mid-century survey, anchoring the expansive Carrizo Plain between the Temblor Range and the high peaks of the Caliente Range. The landscape is defined by its working ranching history, with established properties such as Goodwin Ranch, Wellman Ranch, and Chimineas Ranch scattered across the basin and its foothills. The presence of Painted Rock and Painted Rock Ranch indicates the cultural and archaeological significance of this area long before it was formally mapped.

The southern portion of the sheet follows the winding course of the Cuyama River, which serves as a natural boundary between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. This terrain is deeply dissected by a network of drainage systems, including Saltos Canyon and Morales Canyon. Near the river, the Los Padres National Forest boundary marks the transition into more mountainous timberland, while landmarks like Caliente Mountain offer a high-altitude vantage point over the complex geography of the high desert and river valleys.