2018 Map of Upper Centennial Flat

About this map

Silver Mtn and the northern reaches of the Coso Range dominate this corner of the California desert, where high-altitude springs provided essential water for early travel and ranching. The terrain transitions from the rocky prominence of Pinon Peak down through deep cuts like Centennial Canyon and Lacey Canyon, leading into the broad basins of Upper Centennial Flat and Upper Cactus Flat. These "flats" represent the characteristically arid landscape of the northern Mojave Desert, defined by massive alluvial fans and isolated water sources like Upper Centennial Spring and Upper Haiwee Spring. The map documents the relationship between these scarce watering points and the network of primitive roads that connect the high mountain peaks to the lower desert floor, reflecting the long history of land use in this isolated part of Inyo County.