2021 Map of Palen Lake

About this map

Palen Valley dominates this desert landscape in eastern Riverside County, where the dry lakebed environment meets the rising slopes of the Palen Mountains. The map illustrates the convergence of two major desert basins, as the valley floor transitions southward into the Chuckwalla Valley. This area is defined by its arid character and lacks the permanent settlements or developed roads seen in more populous regions of the state. Instead, the survey provides a precise look at the township and range lines across the T3S, T4S, and T5S boundaries, which are essential for locating historical mining claims or land allotments in this part of the Mojave Desert. The intricate contour lines along the eastern edge of the sheet reveal the complex topography of the mountain range that flanks the valley.