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1987 Map of Rockhouse Basin

Name: 1987 Topographic Map of Rockhouse Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1994
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1994

About this map

The South Fork Kern River winds through this high-elevation landscape within the Sequoia National Forest and the Dome Land Wilderness. Centered on the open expanses of the Rockhouse Basin, the map illustrates a transition from the rugged drainage of Trout Creek and Fish Creek to the broader flats of Long Valley. The area is characterized by scattered alpine meadows such as Lunch Meadow, Smith Meadow, and Rockhouse Meadow, which have historically served as critical landmarks for grazing and backcountry travel.

Outdoor recreation and early aviation infrastructure are evident through the presence of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and a Landing Strip near Kennedy Meadows. While primarily a wilderness study, the map notes a lone Prospect in the southeastern quadrant, hinting at the mineral exploration that often preceded the designation of protected forest lands. The network of creeks, including Tibbets Creek and Pine Creek, defines the complex topography of this Tulare County backcountry.