1981 Map of Independence Lake

About this map

Independence Lake sits at the heart of this Sierra Nevada landscape, surrounded by the high-elevation peaks and meadows of the Tahoe National Forest. The map documents the complex water network of the region, where the Truckee River flows to the north and the North Fork Prosser Creek drains the southern slopes of Carpenter Ridge. Historic transit routes are well-represented, from the Henness Pass Road—a vital mid-19th century freighting artery—to the modern Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winding through the western mountains. The high country is punctuated by numerous alpine basins, including Warren Lake and Paradise Lake near the slopes of Mt Lola. Resource management and scientific study are evident through labels like the Gaging Station on Independence Creek and the Sagehen Road corridor.