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1981 Map of Gold Lake

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Gold Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Gold Lake and the high-elevation basin surrounding Mt Elwell dominate this 1980s landscape, which spans the boundary between Plumas National Forest and Tahoe National Forest. The map provides a detailed look at a region transitioning from its hard-rock mining heritage to a premier recreation destination. Traces of the area's industrial past are visible at the Jamison Mine (Site) and the Empire Mine, while the presence of a Sawmill and several ruins hint at earlier logging and milling operations.

By this era, the cluster of lakes—including Long Lake, Lower Salmon Lake, and Big Bear Lake—supported a thriving seasonal community centered on facilities like Elwell Lodge, Gold Lake Lodge, and the Salmon Lake Resort. For those tracing local history or genealogy, the map identifies specific landmarks like the Footbridge over Pauley Creek and the notable The A Tree, alongside numerous remote campgrounds like Diablo Campground and the Campfire Girls Camp.