1987 Map of West of Black Hills

About this map

The Lava Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in northeastern San Bernardino County, characterized by steep volcanic slopes and remote terrain. Established during a period of significant military land use in the Mojave Desert, a large portion of this territory is designated as the Naval Weapons Center. The map reveals a land managed for specific tactical and ecological needs, notably evidenced by the marking of a Guzzler, a specialized water catchment system designed to support local wildlife in an arid environment where natural springs are rare. Access throughout this rugged interior is limited primarily to a network of 4wd tracks, underscoring the area's isolation and its role as a restricted-use military zone during the late twentieth century.