1969 Map of Cerro Colorado

About this map

Mercey Mine and several other extraction sites anchor the northern and southern reaches of this landscape, reflecting the mineral history of the Coast Ranges during the late 1960s. The topography is dominated by the high peak of Cerro Colorado and the steep descents into Las Aguilas Canyon and Slacks Valley. Water sources are critical in this arid terrain, marked by numerous named springs and the winding courses of Mercey Creek and Little Panoche Creek. To the east, the land opens into the Panoche Valley, where a network of water tanks and wells supports activity away from the higher elevations of the Las Aguilas Mts. Geological interest is noted on the eastern front by Glaucophane Ridge, while the southern portion features a cluster of mines including the Lucky Strike Mine, Ex Ray Mine, and Valley View Mine, suggesting a concentrated period of prospecting or production in the hills overlooking the valley floor.