1991 Map of Big Basin

About this map

Big Basin Redwoods State Park and the complex drainage of the Santa Cruz Mountains define this landscape during the early 1990s. The map illustrates a region transitioning from isolated wilderness to a hub of conservation and recreational retreats, featuring established sites like Riverside Grove and the Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club. Deeply forested canyons are carved by Waddell Creek and the San Lorenzo River, while historical transport routes like China Grade and Empire Grade traverse the high ridges of Butano Ridge and Ben Lomond Mountain. Distinctive institutional and social markers, such as Camp Ben Lomond (California Youth Authority) and various youth camps like Camp Campbell, reveal the specialized land use within these coastal redwoods. The presence of the Eagle Rock Lookout Tower highlights the ongoing importance of fire surveillance in this densely wooded terrain.