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1947 Map of El Portal

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of El Portal
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1947
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1947

About this map

El Portal serves as the gateway to the Sierra Nevada high country on this 1947 survey, where the Merced River carves a deep path through the canyon. The landscape is a junction of early conservation and mountain industry, showing the boundaries of Yosemite National Park alongside the Stanislaus National Forest and Sierra National Forest. Transportation history is etched into the terrain, from the winding Old Coulterville Road to the modern All-Year Highway and the rail-oriented settlement at Incline.

Deep canyons and high ridges define the region, marked by landmarks such as Trumbull Peak and the Merced Grove Big Trees. Local history seekers will find remnants of human activity at Clearing House and Hite Cove, as well as several prospects and the Indian Flat Guard Sta. The map captures the rugged water network of the Merced watershed, including Foresta Falls and the confluence with the South Fork Merced River.