2015 Map of Monument Peak

About this map

The Great Southern Overland Rte of 1849 cuts through the desert floor here, following the path of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail through Mason Valley and Vallecito Valley. This corridor, a vital thoroughfare during the mid-19th-century westward expansion, sits in sharp contrast to the high-elevation terrain of the Laguna Mountains to the south. Within the Cleveland National Forest, the landscape rises toward Monument Peak and Mount Laguna, where the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds along the rim of Storm Canyon. This survey captures the transition from arid valley washes like Vallecito Wash to the montane environments surrounding Big Laguna Lake and Little Laguna Lake. The presence of the Rancho Vallecito Airport and various reservoirs, including Chula Vista Reservoir, highlights the modern management of water and transit in this remote corner of San Diego County.