1959 Map of Chilao Flat

About this map

The high elevation wilderness of the Angeles National Forest is defined here by a series of steep drainages and prominent peaks, including Strawberry Peak and Pacifico Mountain. In the late 1950s, the landscape was a mix of recreation and resource extraction, with the Angeles Crest Highway providing access to isolated outposts like Loomis Ranch and Colby Ranch. This survey captures the mid-century footprint of mining in the San Gabriel range, marking sites such as the Monte Cristo Mine and Falcon Mine alongside the Barley Flats Military Reservation. The drainage system of the Upper Big Tujunga River and its numerous gulches, such as Lynx Gulch and Wildcat Gulch, illustrate the complex topography that historically challenged mountain travel and settlement in northern Los Angeles County.