1968 Map of Ruby Canyon

About this map

Ortigalita Ridge dominates the skyline of this 1960s landscape, serving as a primary geological divider between the drainages of Ruby Canyon and Piedra Azul Canyon. The map records a sparsely populated ranching environment along the border of Merced and San Benito counties, defined by the winding course of the South Fork Los Banos Creek. Evidence of early settlement and land use is found at the Cleveland Ranch and the identified Bonanza (Site), while the northern portion of the quadrangle is marked by Molina. The terrain transitions into the high plains of Real De Las Aguilas and Dairy Flat in the south, where a network of primitive tracks and a Jeep Trail connect the various valleys, including Los Muertos Valley and Las Aguilas Valley. Numerous springs are recorded throughout the canyons, indicating the vital water sources that supported livestock and remote homesteads in this arid region.