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1952 Map of Loon Lake

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Loon Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

Loon Lake and the surrounding high Sierra terrain of the El Dorado National Forest dominate this mid-century topographic record. The landscape is characterized by a network of seasonal outposts and camps, reflecting the region's history of cattle grazing and early forest management. Names like Francis Cow Camp and Van Vleck Ranch mark the human footprint in an area otherwise defined by granite and water.

Strategic locations such as the Schlein Ranger Sta and the curious Stone Cellar landmark indicate the functional nature of the high country before it became primarily a recreation destination. The hydrology is intricate, with the Rubicon River and South Fork Rubicon River carving through the granite, punctuated by the dramatic Bassi Falls. Numerous alpine lakes, including Shadow Lake and Forni Lake, are connected by an extensive system of unnamed trails and primitive jeep tracks.