1987 Map of West of Teakettle Junction

About this map

Saline Valley and the towering Last Chance Range dominate this desert landscape in Inyo County during the late 1980s. The map captures a high-elevation wilderness defined by stark topography and specialized water sources, most notably at Upper Warm Spring. The presence of a Prospect near the western edge of the range suggests intermittent mineral exploration, a common thread in the history of this region. Navigating this environment relied heavily on primitive infrastructure, represented here by a network of 4wd tracks that traverse the valley floor and climb toward the mountain passes. This survey, based on 1984 photography, documents the area in a moment of stillness, serving as a primary source for understanding the remote access points and water locations essential for survival and industry in the high desert.