1901 Map of Mt. Lyell

About this map

Mt. Lyell and the high granite peaks of the High Sierra dominate this late-19th-century topographic survey, showing the early boundaries of Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest. The landscape is defined by the headwaters of the San Joaquin and Tuolumne rivers, where hydrological features like the White Cascade and Tuolumne Falls are meticulously recorded alongside iconic landmarks such as Fairview Dome and the Cockscomb. To the south, the Clover Meadow Ranger Sta stands as a rare human outpost in a region primarily used for early forest management and seasonal exploration. Significant lakes like Tenaya Lake, Thousand Island Lake, and Merced Lake dot the glaciated terrain, providing a look at the wilderness before the expansion of modern trail systems. This map captures the region when mapping the high country was still a matter of primary triangulation and field observation, as evidenced by the work of surveyors like R. B. Marshall.