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1955 Map of Emigrant Gap

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Emigrant Gap
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

Emigrant Gap and the surrounding high Sierra terrain are defined here by a dense network of early industrial and transportation infrastructure. The Southern Pacific railroad follows the ridge line above the South Yuba River, serving mountain settlements like Cisco and Cisco Grove. The landscape is a complex map of water management, featuring the Bowman Spaulding Conduit and the Drum Canal, which link major reservoirs such as Bowman Lake and Lake Spaulding.

Hard-rock mining history is evident in the numerous claims and former mill sites dotting the area, including the Old Condon Mill (Site) near Graniteville and the Gaston (Site). These operations, such as the Snowflower Mine and Eagle Bird Mine, were part of a massive effort to extract wealth from the ridges of Pinoli Ridge and Black Buttes. The transition toward mid-century recreation is also visible, with the Marin-Sierra Boy Scout Camp and various campgrounds appearing alongside the established infrastructure of the U S Highway 40.