1985 Map of Palen Mountains

About this map

Palen Mountains dominate this 1980s topographic study of the California desert. The terrain is characterized by a complex network of arid ridges and dry wash systems, illustrating the dramatic geological formations of eastern Riverside County. Produced as a provisional map from 1977 aerial photography and 1978 field checks, the sheet captures the land before contemporary developments, focusing on the natural topography and the intricate drainage patterns of the desert floor. The detailed contour lines reveal the steep elevation changes across the range, providing an essential resource for understanding the physical geography of this isolated interior landscape during the late twentieth century.