1987 Map of Cottonwood Canyon

About this map

Death Valley National Monument defines this landscape of high desert drainage and dramatic elevation changes in the late twentieth century. Centered on the rugged topography of Cottonwood Canyon, the map captures a network of deep-cut washes and canyon systems, including Marble Canyon in the north and Lemoigne Canyon to the south. This 1987 provisional edition highlights the stark geological features of the Cottonwood Mountains, where a solitary Spring provides a rare water source in the arid environment. The map's contour lines and spot elevations reveal the complex drainage patterns that funnel through these canyons toward the valley floor, documenting the wilderness character of Inyo County before the monument was redesigned as a national park.