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2015 Map of Kern Peak

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of Kern Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

The high elevation wilderness of the Sierra Nevada dominates this 2015 survey, where the Inyo National Forest meets a network of high mountain meadows and alpine streams. Significant topography is defined by Kern Peak and the Toowa Range, while the S Fork Kern River provides the primary drainage for the surrounding basins. The landscape is dotted with distinct landmarks like the Natural Bridge and geological features such as Red Hill and Three Rocks.

A series of meadows, including Little Whitney Meadow, Ramshaw Meadows, and Cold Meadows, suggest a landscape shaped by seasonal hydrology and historical grazing patterns. The intricate network of "stringers"—including Movie Stringer, Lewis Stringer, and Kern Peak Stringer—demonstrates the complex water distribution system characteristic of this portion of the range. The presence of named points like Indian Head and the daunting Hells Hole indicate a long history of local naming conventions used by hikers and foresters navigating this backcountry.