1985 Map of Stepladder Mts. NW

About this map

Ward Valley dominates this 1985 survey, showcasing a vast desert landscape shaped by arid drainage patterns and modern industrial infrastructure. The ephemeral flow of Homer Wash bisects the terrain, illustrating the natural hydrological corridors of the Mojave. This particular era of mapping captures the intersection of public land management and utility expansion, clearly marking an Underground Gas Pipeline and several Trans lines crossing the basin. The map detail reflects a period of meticulous aerial photogrammetry and field checking by the Geological Survey, recording the precise section lines and township boundaries that define land ownership in this portion of San Bernardino County. The prevalence of 4wd tracks indicates the limited but essential access routes used for utility maintenance and desert exploration during the mid-1980s.