2021 Map of Quartz Peak

About this map

Quartz Peak rises as a prominent landmark within the southern reaches of the Chocolate Mountains, anchoring a landscape defined by significant elevation changes and seasonal desert hydrology. To the north, the terrain is shaped by the mass of Peter Kane Mtn, which sits near the critical water source of the Peter Kane Water Hole. This remote corner of Imperial County is characterized by its topographic complexity, where access is limited to historical desert tracks like Black Mountain Rd and Indian Pass Rd. The southeastern portion of the map transitions into the drainage systems of Indian Wash, which flows south from the vicinity of Indian Pass. The map illustrates a region largely defined by its natural barriers and the survival necessities of the desert, where named water holes and mountain passes dictated the paths of travel and early exploration.