1902 Map of Mt. Marcy

About this map

Mt. Marcy and the surrounding high peaks define this 1902 survey of the Adirondack backcountry. At a time when the region was primarily the domain of loggers, early conservationists, and rusticators, the map details a primitive network of camps and mountain hostels including the Adirondack Lodge and St. Huberts. The intricate drainage patterns of the West Branch Ausable River and the Opalescent River are meticulously charted, showing the headwaters that feed the Hudson and St. Lawrence watersheds. The topography illustrates the significant elevation changes within the Adirondack Mountain Reserve, from the valley floors of Keene Valley to the summits of the Mac Intyre Mountains. Notable high-altitude water bodies such as Lake Tear and Lake Colden are captured alongside the early trails and landmarks used by pioneering surveyors like H.M. Wilson and E.C. Barnard during their 1891-92 reconnaissance.