2018 Map of Nelson Lake

About this map

Nelson Lake and McLean Lake serve as the primary landmarks in this arid section of the Mojave Desert. The landscape is largely defined by the expansive basins of these dry or seasonal lakes, which dictate the drainage and topography of the surrounding terrain. Human passage through the area is marked by Pioneer Cut, a notable path that crosses the undulating desert floor. This 2018 survey illustrates the relationship between these significant ephemeral water bodies and the early transit routes that navigate the remote high desert interior of San Bernardino County.