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1953 Map of Mono Craters

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Mono Craters
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Yosemite National Park dominates the western reaches of this 1953 survey, where high-altitude landmarks like the Dana Plateau and Donohue Pass mark the crest of the Sierra Nevada. The terrain drops sharply toward the east into the volcanic basin of the Pumice Valley, a stark contrast to the glacial lakes and granite peaks. The settlement at Lee Vining and the Lee Vining PO serve as the primary gateway along Highway 395, while the recreation-focused community of June Lake is established further south.

Industrial and infrastructure features of the mid-century era are prominent, including the Log Cabin Mine and a Powerhouse along Lee Vining Creek. Water management is a key theme, evidenced by the Lee Vining RS, the State Fish Hatchery, and numerous reservoirs such as Grant Lake and Gem Lake. This map documents the transition from the high wilderness of the Kuna Crest to the unique geological formations of the Aeolian Buttes and the shoreline of Mono Lake.