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1955 Map of Pyramid Peak

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Pyramid Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Eldorado National Forest dominates this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by the high peaks of the Crystal Range and a dense network of glacial lakes. In the southern portion of the quadrangle, the settlement of Strawberry and the established recreation site at Sciots Camp line the banks of the South Fork American River. This corridor served as a primary transit route through the mountains, supported by facilities like the Pyramid Guard Station and the Forty-two Mile Campground.

Tracing the higher elevations reveals seasonal and historical land uses, from the Boy Scout camp at Camp Cody to the remote Lyons (Site). The map provides exceptional detail for those interested in mid-century backcountry infrastructure, including the Windmiller Trail and various jeep tracks that connected isolated points like Lower Forni and Upper Forni. The high-altitude terrain is marked by dozens of named water bodies, including the sprawling Desolation Lake and Lake Sylvia at the foot of Pyramid Peak.