1959 Map of San Rafael Mtn

About this map

Los Padres National Forest contains the high peaks and deep drainage systems of the San Rafael Mountains as they appeared during the late 1950s. The landscape is defined by the prominent San Rafael Mtn and McKinley Mtn, with the Sisquoc River and its South Fork carving through the northern sections. This survey documents the backcountry infrastructure of the era, marking numerous established campgrounds such as Mission Pine Camp, Manzana Camp, and Big Cone Spruce Camp. In the southern portion, the Santa Cruz Guard Sta stands near the confluence of local creeks, serving as a hub for forest management. The terrain is characterized by steep canyons like Lazaro Canyon and Peachtree Canyon, which drain toward the Santa Cruz Creek. This map is particularly useful for researchers tracing the network of old jeep trails and seasonal springs like Live Oak Spring and Demetrio Spring that sustained travelers in this interior wilderness.