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1955 Map of Donner Pass

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Donner Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Norden and Soda Springs serve as the primary mountain hubs along the Southern Pacific Railroad and U.S. 40, illustrating the mid-century transportation corridor through the Sierra Nevada. The terrain is defined by a dense network of high-elevation water bodies, including Independence Lake, Webber Lake, and the expansive Fordyce Lake, which are linked by rugged ridges such as Boreal Ridge and Schallenberger Ridge.

Evidence of early mountaineering and recreation is visible through numerous camps and specialized sites like Magonigal Camp, Camp Pahatsi, and Old Stanford Wood Camp. The map highlights the historic Donner Trail as it winds toward Donner Pass, alongside contemporary infrastructure like the Airway Beacon and Tamarack Substation. This survey documents a landscape balancing its role as a vital transit passage with its emerging identity as a recreational destination within the Tahoe National Forest.