1988 Map of Olancha

About this map

Owens Lake and the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada define this 1988 survey of the Owens Valley. The small settlements of Cartago and Olancha sit at the desert’s edge, linked by the Southern Pacific Railroad and the primary highway corridor. This area showcases the complex water management systems of the era, featuring the Los Angeles Aqueduct, various Diversion Dikes, and the Cartago Creek drainage. To the west, the landscape rises sharply into the Golden Trout Wilderness and South Sierra Wilderness, where landmarks like Olancha Peak and Gomez Meadow mark the high country. For the historical researcher, the map preserves the location of an Old Railroad Grade and numerous Ruins near the lake's former shoreline, illustrating the region's shift from early industry and rail transport to environmental conservation and water export.