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1986 Map of San Bernardino Wash

Name: 1986 Topographic Map of San Bernardino Wash
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Mining operations and desert hydrology define this mid-1980s look at the eastern portion of Joshua Tree National Monument. The landscape is dominated by the wide drainage of San Bernardino Wash and Pinto Wash, which converge in the vast Pinto Basin. To the north, the Pinto Mountains are dotted with evidence of historical extraction, including the Rusty Gold Mine, Gold Crown Mine, and the Sunrise Mill (Site). These features suggest a period when prospecting drove human presence in this arid environment.

Water sources were critical for survival and industry, as indicated by Mission Well and Gold Rose Well located near the basin floor. The map also delineates the boundaries of the Joshua Tree Wilderness and the Pinto Mountains Wilderness, highlighting the transition towards preservation during this era. To the south, the foothills of the Eagle Mountains rise, while Smoke Tree Wash cuts through the desert floor, illustrating the complex network of ephemeral streams that shape the region.