2021 Map of Lower Warm Springs

About this map

Death Valley National Park encompasses the majority of this desert terrain, where the arid basin floor meets the high slopes of the Saline Range. This 2021 survey reveals a landscape of extreme contrast, defined by the broad expanse of the Saline Valley and the shifting sands of The Dunes at the southern edge. Hydrology is the primary shaper of the terrain here; the ephemeral path of Waucoba Wash cuts through the valley floor, draining toward the lowest elevations of the Mojave Desert. Vital water sources appear at the base of the mountains, including Lower Warm Springs and Palm Spring, which traditionally serve as critical navigation points in this water-scarce environment. The map provides a precise view of the topography before the effects of modern climate shifts further alter these sensitive desert springs and alluvial fans.