Loading map...

1972 Map of Catclaw Flat

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Catclaw Flat
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds through the heart of this landscape, crossing the high-altitude terrain of the San Gorgonio Wilderness and the San Bernardino National Forest. This 1972 field-checked survey captures the area at a time when the footpaths and pack trails were the primary means of navigating the canyons and ridges. Along the southern bend of the Whitewater River, the presence of Stills Landing (Ruins) offers a specific point of interest for those tracking historical occupancy and failed settlements in the region.

Water sources define the geography, from the named Forks Springs to the drainage of Big Morongo Canyon and Mission Creek. The map documents a transition in land use, showing the boundary where the national forest meets an Indian Reservation and the county line between San Bernardino and Riverside. Distinctive geological markers like Red Dome and The Sink provide orientation in a complex network of canyons including Hell For Sure Canyon and Grapevine Canyon.