2021 Map of Clarks Pass

About this map

Joshua Tree National Park spans the southern half of this desert landscape, where the Pinto Mountains rise from the arid floor of the Pinto Basin. This 2021 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey captures the rugged transition between these highlands and the Sheep Hole Mountains to the north. A critical corridor through the terrain is defined by Clarks Pass, which provides passage through the high ground separating these two mountain ranges. The map also delineates the jurisdictional boundary where the San Bernardino County and Riverside County line intersects the northern reaches of the park. Situated within the broader Mojave Desert, the area is characterized by dramatic elevation changes and the stark, open topography typical of the high desert wilderness.