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2018 Map of El Capitan

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of El Capitan
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

El Capitan stands as the dominant granite monolith in this 2018 survey of the western Yosemite Valley. The landscape is defined by the steep descent of the Merced River through the Merced Gorge, flanked by world-renowned geological features like the Cathedral Spires, Leaning Tower, and Elephant Rock. Historical transportation routes are deeply etched into the terrain, showing the transition from the Old Big Oak Flat Road and Old Wawona Road to modern infrastructure like the Wawona Tunnel.

The map details a network of high-elevation meadows and water features that have long guided exploration, from Ribbon Meadow near Ribbon Fall to the southern reaches of Monroe Meadows and Westfall Meadows. For researchers, the inclusion of the Old Coulterville Road and the various branches of Deer Camp Road helps trace the evolution of access into Yosemite National Park and the adjacent Sierra National Forest.