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2012 Map of Patterson Mountain

Name: 2012 Topographic Map of Patterson Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2012
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2012

About this map

Balch Camp stands at the confluence of several major canyons where the N Fork Kings River carves through the Sierra Nevada. This 2012 record highlights a landscape defined by significant hydroelectric infrastructure, including the Balch Powerhouse and Haas Powerhouse, which are linked by an extensive system of subterranean conduits such as the Balch Tunnel and Haas Tunnel. These engineering works utilize the steep drop of the river to generate power, with the Black Rock Reservoir serving as a key component of the water management network.

Upland areas are characterized by high-altitude meadows and ridges, such as Ross Meadow, Cabin Meadow, and Poison Ridge. The map details a network of forest roads, including Ross Crossing Rd and Blackrock Rd, which provide access to remote sites like Patterson Mountain and the Patterson Bluffs. For local historians, the inclusion of named springs like Lousy Spring and Wiesman Spring provides specific points of reference for early high-country travel and cattle grazing history.