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2018 Map of Slate Range Crossing

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Slate Range Crossing
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

Valley Wells sits at the southern edge of this high-desert landscape where the basins of Searles Valley and Panamint Valley meet. The area is defined by the massive tectonic uplift of the Argus Range to the west and the Slate Range to the east, creating a narrow corridor known as Slate Range Crossing. This pass historically served as a critical transit point for those navigating between the mineral-rich dry lakes of the region.

The rugged terrain is dissected by numerous drainages including Homewood Canyon, Orondo Canyon, and Bruce Canyon. These canyons, along with Fish Canyon and Water Canyon, provide the only natural breaks in the steep topography, often dictating the path of local routes like Homewood Canyon Rd and Quarry Rd. The map illustrates the sparse settlement and infrastructure required to navigate the western reaches of the Mojave Desert in the early 21st century.