1953 Map of Blackcap Mtn

About this map

Diamond D Ranch and Chamberlains Camp represent the few permanent outposts in this high-altitude wilderness during the early 1950s. The landscape is defined by the high crests of the Sierra National Forest and the boundary of Kings Canyon National Park, where the John Muir Trail winds through Goddard Canyon. Water dominates the upper elevations, from the large expanse of Florence Lake to the intricate clusters of the Red Mtn Basin and Crown Basin. The drainage patterns of the South Fork San Joaquin River and the numerous meadows like Blaney Meadows provide a detailed look at the hydrology of the High Sierra before modern recreational infrastructure intensified. Sharp topographical features such as Blackcap Mtn and the aptly named Hell For Sure Pass highlight the difficulty of travel through this granite terrain.