2015 Map of Orchard Peak

About this map

The San Andreas Fault cuts a diagonal path through this corner of the Diablo Range, defining the tectonic character of the landscape where the San Luis Obispo and Kern county lines meet. The small settlement of Annette serves as a lone anchor in a terrain defined by deep canyons and high ridges, including Orchard Peak and the prominent Bluestone Ridge. Water management is a visible priority in this arid environment, evidenced by the massive Governor Edmund G Brown Coastal Br California Aqueduct traversing the north. Beneath the technical infrastructure of the aqueduct, the natural hydrology is marked by ephemeral features like Poison Water Pond, Twisselmann Lake, and Still Lake. Steep grades such as the Hilbrich Grade and the Palo Prieto Pass indicate the historical difficulty of navigating this portion of the San Joaquin Valley foothills.