Loading map...

1961 Map of Cholame Hills

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Cholame Hills
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Cholame Hills and the winding Cholame Valley define this mid-century landscape along the boundary of Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties. The terrain is characterized by a dense network of seasonal drainages and numerous water sources essential for livestock and local camps, including Todds Spring, Willow Spring, and Square Corral Spring. The eastern edge of the map shows the flatlands of the valley where Cholame Creek flows near Covington Lake, providing a sharp contrast to the dissected ridges to the west.

Rural infrastructure is represented by scattered outposts such as Cottonwood Camp and Parkfield Camp, connected by a series of primitive routes and jeep trails. These features indicate a ranching or seasonal grazing economy typical of the California Coast Ranges. Researchers can trace the traditional pathways through Keyes Canyon and Wild Horse Canyon, which provided access through the hills before modern development altered the local ranching boundaries.