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1963 Map of Hexie Mountains

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Hexie Mountains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Mining operations and desert water sources define this landscape within the Joshua Tree National Monument during the early 1960s. The northern reaches are dominated by the Pinto Mountains, where scattered claims like the Paymaster Mine and Old Swede Mine sit near the Pinto Basin. These sites represent the region's hard-rock prospecting history, connected by a network of jeep trails and unimproved roads that navigate the wash-cut terrain.

Water is a critical throughline in this arid environment, marked by sites such as the Pinkham Spring (Site) and Ruby Lee Well. In the west, the Hexie Mountains overlook Pleasant Valley and Fried Liver Wash, while the southern portion of the map transitions into the Cottonwood Mountains. Emerging recreational interest is evident at the Cholla Garden Nature Trail, signaling a shift toward preservation and public access.