2015 Map of Vail Lake

About this map

Vail Lake and the rugged interior of the Southern California back country are the focal points of this 2015 topographical study. The landscape is defined by a series of parallel valleys including Butterfield Valley, Lancaster Valley, and Wilson Valley, which served as historical corridors for movement between the coast and the inland deserts. The map marks the transition from the high-desert shrublands to the dense timber of the Cleveland National Forest, where significant peaks like Agua Tibia Mtn and Eagle Crage rise above deep drainage systems such as Castro Canyon. Evidence of early transportation and utility is found in the network of truck trails and divide roads, such as the Crosley Truck Trl, which navigate the steep terrain between Radec Valley and the Riverside-San Diego county line. The presence of Dripping Springs and Sawyer Spring highlights the critical importance of water sources in this arid region.