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2021 Map of Blackcap Mountain

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

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

Sierra National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park converge at the Le Conte Divide, marking a high-elevation boundary where the Sierra Nevada crest separates the drainage basins of the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers. The landscape is defined by glacial cirques and high alpine basins, including the Blackcap Basin and Crown Basin, which feed the N Fork Kings River. Numerous small lakes such as Maxson Lake, Scepter Lake, and the remote Big Shot Lake are interspersed among granite ridges like Castle Ridge and Kettle Ridge.

High-altitude transit in this wilderness relies on a network of established paths, including the Blackcap Trl, Hell For Sure Trl, and Martha Lake Trl. These trails cross significant gateways such as Scepter Pass and Chuck Pass, connecting broad openings like Big Maxson Meadow and Mountain Meadow. The map documents the intricate hydrography of the region, from the headwaters of Scepter Cr to the deep Goddard Canyon on the eastern edge.