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1953 Map of Devils Postpile

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Devils Postpile
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Devils Postpile National Monument serves as the central landmark in this high-altitude landscape where the Sierra National Forest meets the Inyo National Forest. The map details a complex system of alpine hydrology, from the large expanse of Thousand Island Lake and Garnet Lake to smaller basins like Minaret Lake and Lake Catherine. The terrain is dominated by the sharp elevations of Banner Peak, Mt Ritter, and the Minarets, illustrating the dramatic verticality of the Sierra Nevada crest.

Evidence of early recreational and industrial interest appears throughout the area. The Mammoth Mtn Ski Lodge and numerous campgrounds such as Pumice Flat Campground indicate the mid-century growth of outdoor tourism, while the Minaret Mine on Volcanic Ridge points to the region's mineral history. Tracing the Muir Trail as it winds past Reds Meadow Hot Springs and Rainbow Falls, the map documents the established path for backcountry exploration before more modern developments altered these wilderness corridors.