1955 Map of Pyramid Peak

About this map

Eldorado National Forest dominates this mid-century landscape, centered on the high alpine terrain of the Crystal Range and the expansive Desolation Valley. The survey captures a high-elevation backcountry before the modern era of heavy recreational development, focusing on the intricate network of glacial lakes such as Lake Aloha, Waca Lake, and Cody Lake. Human presence is largely confined to seasonal outposts and small riverside settlements along the South Fork American River, including Strawberry and Sciots Camp.