1901 Map of Mt. Lyell

About this map

Yosemite National Park and the adjacent Sierra Forest Reserve are documented here just after the turn of the century, revealing the high-elevation terrain of the central Sierra Nevada. The map captures the dramatic hydrology of the Tuolumne River watershed, featuring a series of major cascades including Waterwheel Falls, Le Conte Falls, and California Falls. To the east, the volcanic landscape of the Mono Craters and Pumice Valley contrasts with the glaciated granite peaks. This 1901 survey, updated in 1910, traces the early administrative boundaries between Tuolumne, Mariposa, Mono, Madera, and Fresno counties. Rare early infrastructure is noted by mountain crossings such as Miller Bridge and Granite Cr. Bridge, which served travelers and foresters before the era of modern highway development. The inclusion of the Mt. Diablo Base Line highlights the fundamental surveying work that underpinned Western land claims and park management.