1987 Map of Coxcomb Mts

About this map

The Coxcomb Mountains dominate this 1987 survey, forming a stark geographic boundary between the Palen Valley to the east and the protected lands of the Joshua Tree National Monument Wilderness to the west. This arid landscape is defined by its critical infrastructure, most notably the Colorado River Aqueduct which skirts the mountain range and follows the lowlands of the Chuckwalla Valley. The presence of several prospects in the northern slopes suggests late-century mineral interest, while a network of 4wd tracks and a prominent Trans Line indicate the region's role as a corridor for utility and transit. Engineering details like a siphon and a protective levee system highlight the intensive management of water resources across this desert terrain.