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2018 Map of Painted Gorge

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Painted Gorge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

The Old Overland Stage Rte snakes through the arid landscape of Imperial County, tracing a historic corridor of travel across the West Mesa and into the foothills. This 2018 survey highlights a region of stark topographical contrast, where the sharp elevations of the Coyote Mountains give way to the expansive Yuha Desert. The geography is defined by a network of seasonal drainages, most notably Coyote Wash and Palm Canyon Wash, which serve as the primary hydrologic features in this desert environment.

Local access is facilitated by the Painted Gorge Rd and Munson Trl, providing entry into the namesake Painted Gorge. The map documents the enduring alignment of the original stage route alongside modern designations such as Rd 2C01 and Rd 2C03. For the researcher, this sheet offers a clear look at how historical transit routes were dictated by the complex terrain and wash systems of the California desert.