2012 Map of Loon Lake

About this map

Loon Lake and its high-elevation surroundings in El Dorado County are defined by a complex network of seasonal camps and ranching outposts. This 2012 survey documents the persistent human presence in the Sierra Nevada, from the historic Francis Cow Camp in the north to Rupley Cabin in the southeast. The landscape is a mix of alpine basins and granite bluffs, where the S Fork Rubicon River and Bassi Fork navigate the drainage between peaks like Tells Peak and Brown Mountain. Evidence of early twentieth-century activity remains visible through named landmarks such as Stone Cellar and Millionaire Camp, while the Union Valley Reservoir highlights the region's importance for water management. Researchers can trace the rugged topography of Chipmunk Bluff and Slick Rock alongside the forest road system, including Ice House Rd.