1985 Map of Fountain Peak

About this map

The Providence Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in the mid-1980s, serving as a hub for both resource extraction and conservation within the East Mojave National Scenic Area. Mining activity is extensively documented across the slopes, from the Rex Mine and Bonanza King Mine in the north to the Vulcan Mine situated near the Winston Basin. This era represents a period of recreational transition, as the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area and Mitchell Caverns State Natural Preserve protected subterranean landmarks like Mitchell Caverns and Winding Stair Cave. A network of water sources, including Cornfield Spring and Foshay Spring, provided critical points of survival and industry in an arid terrain marked by the Vulcan Mine Road and various pipelines. High peaks such as Edgar Peak and Fountain Peak overlook the deep cuts of Gilroy Canyon, illustrating the topographical challenges faced by 20th-century surveyors and miners.