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2018 Map of Santa Rita Peak

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Santa Rita Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

Santa Rita Peak serves as a prominent landmark along the jagged divide between Fresno and San Benito counties, where high ridges of the Diablo Range separate the coastal interior from the San Joaquin Valley. The high-altitude terrain is characterized by a network of seasonal water sources and canyons, including the headwaters of the San Benito River and the winding White Creek. Localized topography reveals isolated pockets of level ground such as Adobe Flat and the high-elevation Spanish Lake, which contrast sharply with the steep ascents of Joaquin Ridge and Wright Mountain.

Historically, the area’s remote character is reflected in its sparse road network, primarily composed of routes like Derrick Rd and Sawmill Creek Rd. Named springs, including Aqua Buena Spring, Dick Wright Spring, and Rucker Spring, highlight the essential nature of water management in this arid mountainous environment. These features, along with landmarks like Condon Peak and Loma Atravesada, provide a detailed look at the ranching and resource-extraction landscape of the California Coast Ranges during the early 21st century.