2012 Map of Kelso Dunes

About this map

Kelso Dunes dominate this stretch of the Mojave Desert, where wind and sand define the physical landscape. The northern edge of the map is marked by the Up Rr tracks, which parallel Kelso Wash as it trends toward the siding at Flynn. This transport corridor serves as the primary artery through the arid terrain, contrasted by the seasonal paths of Cottonwood Wash and Winston Wash that drain the alluvial slopes. In the southern portion of the quadrangle, the Dick Taylor Airstrip sits isolated near the junction of desert tracks. The road network, including Vulcan Mine Rd and Kelso-Amboy Rd, provides the only terrestrial links between the shifting dunes and distant mining or ranching operations. This 2012 survey reveals the sparse infrastructure required for desert transit, from rail sidings to remote landing strips, all situated within a massive system of migrating sand.