1965 Map of Tinajas Altas

About this map

The Camino del Diablo, an ancient and hazardous trail route, segments this desert landscape as it passes through the Luke Air Force Range. This 1965 survey documents the arid transition between the Gila Mountains and the Tinajas Altas Mountains, where natural water catchments like the Raven Butte Tank and the namesake Tinajas Altas pools were historically critical for survival. The map traces both the Approximate East Route and the West Route as they converge toward the United States-Mexico border. This area is characterized by vast basins such as the Lechuguilla Desert and the Yuma Desert, broken only by granite rises like Raven Butte and narrow crossings at Cipriano Pass. The mapping provides a technical view of a region defined by its isolation and the logistical challenges of the international boundary line.