Loading map...

2012 Map of Los Banos Valley

Name: 2012 Topographic Map of Los Banos Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2012
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2012

About this map

Los Banos Valley and the surrounding coastal range foothills define this region of Merced County, characterized by a complex network of seasonal creek drainages and high ridges. The landscape is marked by historic livestock ranching sites, including Menefee Ranch, Gotfreid Ranch, Gonzales Ranch, and Erreca Ranch, which are connected by primitive roads such as Billy Wright Rd and Jim Negra Rd. To the northwest, the edge of the San Luis Reservoir serves as a prominent landmark.

The drainage patterns of the Los Banos Cr and its various forks, along with Wildcat Cr and Chileno Cr, illustrate the rugged hydrologic character of the territory. High points such as Mustang Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and Bullard Mountain provide significant vertical relief, while Carrisalito Springs offers a rare named water source in the arid canyons. This 2012 survey captures the persistent pastoral use of the valley in the early 21st century.