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2015 Map of Emerald Mountain

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of Emerald Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

Emerald Mtn and the high southern reaches of the Sierra Nevada define this area of Kern County, where the desert-facing slopes meet the rugged southern mountains. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds through the eastern portion of the map, traversing the Piute Mountains and crossing Hamp Williams Pass near Weldon Peak. This landscape is marked by a network of drainage systems including Caliente Cr, Cottonwood Cr, and Indian Cr, which have carved deep canyons like Nagel Canyon, Hart Canyon, and Fox Canyon.

Remote springs and named ridges suggest a history of grazing and transit through the high country. Features such as Antimony Ridge and numerous water sources like Soda Springs, Saddle Spring, and Miller Springs provided essential landmarks for travel through these arid elevations. While the western edge shows more contemporary road development near Sequoia Springs Rd and Paradise Valley Rd, much of the interior remains characterized by the complex topography of the Sierra Nevada and the high peaks of the Piute Mountains.