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2021 Map of Lick Observatory

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Lick Observatory
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

Mt Hamilton and the high ridges of the Diablo Range dominate this corner of Santa Clara County, where the winding Mount Hamilton Rd climbs toward Copernicus Peak. The landscape transitions from the eastern suburban reaches of San Jose, including developments near Montgomery Hill and Silver Creek Rd, into the expansive, sparsely populated terrain of the interior mountains. This area is defined by sharp elevation changes and secluded valleys like Halls Valley and the San Felipe Valley.

Watercourses such as San Felipe Cr, Arroyo Aguague, and Smith Cr carve deep through the hills, illustrating the drainage patterns that feed into the Santa Clara Valley. Notable landmarks like Mt Misery and Mount Hamilton Springs highlight the remote and rugged character of the peaks east of the city. For researchers, the map provides a clear view of the rural-urban interface, showing how modern streets like The Villages Pkwy meet the open spaces of the San Felipe Hills.