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1956 Map of Fales Hot Springs

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Fales Hot Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

The West Walker River carves a deep path through the high country of the Toiyabe National Forest on this mid-century survey of the California-Nevada border. This area was a hub of mining and transit, evidenced by the cluster of camps and mining operations like the Tiger Mines, Kentuck Mine, and Montague Mine near the base of Mt Patterson. High-elevation settlements such as Belfort and Burcham illustrate the scattered nature of early development in the Mono County backcountry, while Sonora Junction Hardy Station marks a critical historical crossroads for travelers moving toward the Sierra crest.

The map reveals a landscape managed for both extraction and early recreation, featuring several developed camp sites and the namesake Fales Hot Springs. Cattle and sheep ranching footprints are visible through labels like Little Walker Cowcamp and the Sario Ranch. The survey also documents the remote infrastructure of the era, from the Wheeler Guard Station to a lone Log Cabin Ruin, providing a clear view of the mountain economy before modern expansion.