2018 Map of Red Canyon

About this map

Orocopia Mountains and the Chocolate Mountains dominate this arid landscape in Riverside County, separated by the high Maniobra Valley. The desert terrain is defined by complex drainage systems and isolated water sources such as Gucci Spring and Canyon Spring, which were vital points of refuge for early travelers. The southern portion of the map is marked by the wide, sandy wash of Salt Creek, which parallels the historic path of Bradshaw Rd. This corridor preserves the route of the mid-19th-century trail used by prospectors and mail carriers traveling between the Colorado River and the coast. The topography reveals the stark geological transition at Red Canyon, where steep elevation changes and intricate contours illustrate the erosional forces at work in this part of the California desert.