1955 Map of Echo Lake

About this map

Lower Echo Lake and Upper Echo Lake dominate the high-altitude landscape of the Eldorado National Forest in this mid-1950s survey. This era captures the region as a hub for mountain recreation and early automotive travel over the Sierra Nevada, centered on Echo Summit and Johnson Pass. Evidence of seasonal and permanent settlement is clear at Phillips, which includes the Vade P O, and the Celio Ranch further east. The map documents an extensive network of specialized camps, such as the Berkeley Muni Camp, Camp Harvey West (BSA), and Camp Sacramento, alongside the Chapel of Our Lady of the Sierras. Water management and transportation infrastructure are detailed through features like the Spillway 7414 and the State Hy Maint Sta, marking the intersection of the Upper Truckee River and the South Fork American River headwaters.