1901 Map of Mt. Lyell

About this map

Mt. Lyell stands as the central pivot of this high-altitude survey, which documents the complex alpine geography of the Central Sierra Nevada shortly after the turn of the century. The map illustrates a transitional period for land management, showing the early boundaries of Yosemite National Park and the surrounding Sierra Forest Reserve. The drainage patterns of the Merced River and the San Joaquin River are clearly delineated, tracing the flow from glacial lakes and snow-fed peaks like Ritter Mt. and Banner Peak. Infrastructure in this wilderness is minimal, noted by high-country landmarks such as Miller Bridge and Granite Cr. Bridge. This 1898-99 field survey captures the region before the modern development of park access, emphasizing the natural crests and named points like Cathedral Peak and Vogelsang Peak that would eventually become iconic stops for backcountry explorers and geologists alike.