2021 Map of Tecopa Pass

About this map

The Nopah Range and Kingston Range dominate this desert landscape where the borders of Inyo and San Bernardino Counties meet. The terrain is defined by extreme elevation changes between the peaks and the broad basins of Chicago Valley and California Valley. Mapping of this area reveals a network of primitive roads used for resource extraction, including Western Talc Rd and Smith Talc Rd, which point to the region's mining history. The presence of Tule Spring marks a rare water source in the Mojave Desert environment, while the strategic Tecopa Pass provides a natural crossing point through the rugged interior mountains. This survey illustrates the isolation and topographic complexity of the Alexander Hills region before it transitions into the deeper desert flats.