1996 Map of West Cronise Lake

About this map

West Cronise Lake and East Cronise Lake define this arid landscape within the Cronise Valley, situated between the towering Soda Mountains to the north and the Cronise Mountains to the south. This 1996 provisional study, based on aerial photography from the 1980s, captures the high-desert terrain of San Bernardino County before shifting modern climate patterns or increased recreation altered the fragile playas. The map detail highlights the stark contrast between the flat, expansive lake beds and the complex topography of the surrounding ranges, interconnected only by sparse 4wd tracks. It serves as a precise record of the Mojave Desert’s geomorphology, tracing the natural basins and drainage patterns that characterize this remote corridor.