2015 Map of Palen Lake

About this map

Palen Lake dominates the central basin of this arid landscape, appearing as a broad ephemeral playa characteristic of the Colorado Desert. The dry lake bed is bounded to the east by the rising contours of the Palen Mountains, which provide sharp relief against the surrounding flats. Human impact is sparse, defined primarily by the corridor of Palen Dunes Dr tracking through the northern sections of the grid. This 2015 survey illustrates the enduring isolation of this region within Riverside County, preserving the primitive character of the land as it appeared in the early 21st century. The map provides a detailed view of the Public Land Survey System grid, showing the townships and ranges including t4s r17e and t5s r17e that organize this desert expanse.