2018 Map of Horse Thief Springs

About this map

Horse Thief Springs anchors the southeastern corner of this arid landscape, where the high peaks of the Kingston Range meet the northern reaches of the Mojave Desert. This 2018 survey documents a remote corridor along the boundary of Inyo and San Bernardino counties, where water sources like Crystal Spring and Beck Spring provided essential stopovers for travelers navigating the difficult terrain. The map's network of unpaved tracks, including Excelsior Mine Rd and Mesquite Valley Rd, traces the historical movement of prospectors and miners through Tecopa Pass. North of the range, the topography opens into the California Valley, illustrating the stark transition between steep mountain slopes and broad desert basins that defined the logistics of early California mining and transit.