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1965 Map of Sierra Arida

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Sierra Arida
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

The Camino Del Diablo (Jeep Trail) cuts through this desert landscape along the Arizona-Sonora border, following a path of immense significance for travelers between Yuma and the Sonoran interior. This mid-1960s survey documents a region defined by its extreme aridity and stark geological features, including the Pinacate Lava Flow and the extensive Pinta Sands. Much of the territory is managed as the Cabeza Prieta Game Range and falls within the Luke Air Force Range, emphasizing the area's dual role as a wildlife refuge and military training ground.

From the Cabeza Prieta Mts to Monument Bluff, the terrain is punctuated by isolated peaks and dry washes. The map illustrates the harsh isolation of the Tule Desert, where water sources like Pinta Playa and Paradise Canyon are critical landmarks in an otherwise unforgiving environment. The southern boundary is clearly defined by the United States Mexico border, illustrating the proximity of these southwestern Arizona desert ranges to the international line.