2012 Map of West of Teakettle Junction

About this map

Upper Warm Spring emerges in the transition between the high desert peaks and the deep basin floor, serving as a rare hydrological point in this arid reach of Inyo County. The landscape is defined by the massive tectonic depression of Saline Valley, which is hemmed in by the towering Saline Range to the northwest and the Last Chance Range to the east. This 2012 survey illustrates the stark geomorphology of one of the most isolated parts of California, where drainage patterns fan out across the valley floor from the surrounding mountain fronts. The absence of developed roads or permanent settlements highlights the wilderness character of this region, preserving a desert environment where seasonal water sources like the spring remain the most critical landmarks for anyone navigating the basin.