1901 Map of Mt. Lyell

About this map

The High Sierra peaks and alpine basins of the Sierra Nevada are captured here during a period of early conservation and boundary-making at the turn of the century. Yosemite National Park occupies the western portion of the sheet, its border winding through a landscape of granite summits including Mt. Lyell, Mt. Maclure, and Mt. Ritter. To the east, the waters of Mono Lake and the volcanic terrain of the Mono Craters provide a stark contrast to the high glaciated basins. The map serves as a record of early mountain access before modern highways, highlighting critical transit points such as Tioga Pass and Donohue Pass. For those interested in the history of the National Park Service and forest management, the location of the Clover Meadow Ranger Sta. and the unique formation of Devils Postpile—situated within the Devils Postpile National Monument—show the early infrastructure of these protected lands.