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2012 Map of San Bernardino Wash

Name: 2012 Topographic Map of San Bernardino Wash
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2012
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2012

About this map

Joshua Tree National Park encompasses much of this desert landscape, where the shifting sands and seasonal hydrology of the Pinto Basin dictate the terrain. The map traces the complex braided drainage systems that characterize this arid region, most notably the prominent San Bernardino Wash and the extensive Pinto Wash. These seasonal watercourses are vital features of the Colorado Desert ecosystem within the park's eastern reaches.

Human presence is limited to the desert tracks of Gold Crown Rd and Mecca Dale Rd, which skirt the edges of the basin. The absence of permanent settlements or structures underscores the area's protected status and its function as a natural corridor for desert flora and fauna, including the Smoke Tree Wash. This survey provides a clear view of the natural topography and the primitive road network as it existed in the early 21st century.