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1979 Map of Caples Lake

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Caples Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Caples Lake and the surrounding high-elevation peaks of the Eldorado National Forest define this 1970s landscape at the intersection of Alpine, Amador, and El Dorado counties. The map documents the early development of Kirkwood, showing the fledgling resort area alongside established recreation sites like Camp Silverado and Schneider Camp. For historians, the sheet preserves the location of the Old Emigrant Trail Historical Marker near the shoreline and the Lost Cabin Mine tucked beneath Black Butte.

The wilderness character of the Mokelumne Wilderness is evident through an extensive network of high-country paths, including a significant stretch of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Underwater contours provided by Pacific Gas and Electric Company for Caples Lake and Silver Lake reveal the sub-surface topography of these managed reservoirs, while local landmarks like the Silver Lake Forest Service Station and Kit Carson mark the primary points of human activity along the mountain passes.