1959 Map of Whale Peak

About this map

Vallecito Mountains dominate this 1959 survey of the California desert, centered on the prominent Whale Peak. Much of the land is preserved within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where the landscape is defined by extensive dry washes and alluvial fans like Mescal Bajada. Human presence is marked by indigenous history and early backcountry travel, evidenced by the Split Rock Petroglyphs and additional Petroglyphs in Little Blair Valley. These cultural sites sit alongside the sparse remains of 20th-century exploration, including a Mine and various primitive routes such as the Chuckwalla Jeep Trail. The map details a complex network of seasonal drainages, including Nolina Wash and June Wash, which carve through high desert flats and valleys. The presence of Blue Spring in Bighorn Canyon highlights the rare and vital water sources that dictated movement through this arid region.