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2021 Map of Westend

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Westend
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

Searles Valley provides the topographic focus for this desert landscape, where industrial activity and isolated outposts meet the stark terrain of the Mojave Desert. The map documents a cluster of company towns and settlements along the western edge of the dry lake bed, including South Trona, Westend, and Borosolvay. These locations are deeply tied to the mineral extraction history of the region, specifically the harvesting of borax and potash from the saline valley floor.

Steep elevations of the Argus Range dominate the western portion of the sheet, cut by dramatic features like Poison Canyon and the distinctive Fish Head Rocks. Infrastructure is concentrated along Trona Rd, which serves as the primary artery connecting these remote communities. The presence of Skytop on the high ridges and Argus to the north reflects the specialized settlement patterns necessitated by the harsh environment and the local chemical industry.