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2015 Map of Keys View

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

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

Joshua Tree National Park dominates this desert landscape, where the high-altitude vantage point of Keys View offers a sweeping perspective over the transition between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. To the north, the terrain is defined by granitic outcrops and high valleys like Juniper Flats and Pleasant Valley, framed by peaks such as Ryan Mtn. These basins illustrate the classic drainage patterns of the region, with Quail Wash carrying seasonal runoff through the arid floor.

Infrastructure in this protected wilderness is limited to essential access roads like Park Blvd and Keys View Rd, alongside historical mining traces near Lost Horse Mtn. The southern portion of the map descends toward the Little San Bernardino Mountains, where the modern engineering of the Colorado River Aqueduct cuts across the lower elevations near The Blue Cut. This contrast between the preserved natural beauty of Lost Horse Valley and the vital water infrastructure of the Colorado River Aqueduct highlights the ongoing human effort to manage resources within the California desert.