2015 Map of Mount Ritter

About this map

Mount Ritter and the jagged Ritter Range dominate this high-altitude landscape where the boundaries of the Inyo National Forest and Sierra National Forest meet. This survey captures a remote stretch of the Sierra Nevada, dominated by alpine hydrology and massive geological formations. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds through the northern portion of the map, crossing Island Pass between the Marie Lakes and Waugh Lake systems. The high-basin drainage patterns are clearly defined, showing the headwaters of the Middle Fork San Joaquin River and the N Fork San Joaquin River. Large glacial lakes, including Thousand Island Lake, Garnet Lake, and Shadow Lake, are clustered at the base of Banner Peak, illustrating the harsh, water-carved geography of the Madera and Mono County line. This 2015 update provides precise detail of these wilderness corridors, essential for understanding the natural barriers that have historically shaped California's high-country transit.