2015 Map of Coxcomb Mountains

About this map

The Coxcomb Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape, with the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park cutting across the central portion of the quadrangle. This 2015 survey reveals the critical infrastructure of the California desert, specifically the path of the Colorado River Aqueduct. The aqueduct traverses the eastern plains before disappearing into the earth via the Coxcomb Tunnel, a significant engineering feature that facilitates water transport through the mountain range. Access through this arid environment is limited to Power Line Rd and Highway 177, illustrating the area's remote character and its primary role as a corridor for utilities and conservation. The sharp transition from the open desert floor to the steep, craggy contours of the mountains highlights the geographic barriers that the aqueduct was designed to overcome.