1986 Map of Cronese Lakes

About this map

West Cronese Lake and East Cronese Lake occupy the floor of the Cronese Valley in this mid-1980s topographic study. The landscape is defined by the sharp transition from the dry lake basins to the towering Soda Mountains in the north and the smaller Cronese Mountains that separate the two lake beds. This environment is characterized by its aridity, with Bitter Spring serving as a rare water source in a region primarily traversed by 4wd trails. The map detail reflects the harsh desert geography of the Mojave, where traditional settlements are absent, replaced by isolated survey markers such as Vfgc 5-238 and Vfgc 1-181. For those studying California desert history, the map provides a clear record of the area's internal drainage systems and natural topography before modern shifts in desert management.