1987 Map of Last Chance Range SW

About this map

Eureka Valley dominates this high-desert landscape in Inyo County, characterized by a dramatic transition from flat dry basins to steep mountain fronts. The massive Eureka Dunes rise from the valley floor, creating a stark geological feature between the Last Chance Range to the east and the Saline Range to the southwest. This 1980s survey illustrates a region shaped by extreme topography and aridity, where the only passage through the steep terrain is found via primitive 4wd tracks and natural gaps like Dedeckera Canyon. At the northern edge of the valley, the Eureka Dry Lake marks the lowest point of this closed basin, serving as a catchment for seasonal runoff from the surrounding peaks. The map provides essential detail for geologists and desert explorers tracing the old routes and landforms of this remote California interior.