2018 Map of Lake Hughes

About this map

Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake occupy a dramatic rift valley defined by the San Andreas Fault, which cuts northwest through this portion of the Angeles National Forest. This 2018 survey reveals a landscape where critical water infrastructure and tectonic geology intersect. The Second Los Angeles Aqueduct and the Governor Edmund G Brown East Branch California Aqueduct are prominent features, feeding into the Fairmont Reservoir and passing through the subterranean Elizabeth Tunnel. This engineering feat contrasts with the natural topography of Portal Ridge and Sawmill Mtn. To the north, the terrain transitions into the high desert plains near Fairmont and Fairmont Butte, while the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds through the southern ridges, providing a modern trace of the area's recreational geography.