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1955 Map of Soda Springs

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Soda Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

The South Yuba River carves a central corridor through the High Sierra, following the path of the Southern Pacific railroad and the historic overland route. In the mid-1950s, this area served as a vital transportation and utility artery, evidenced by the series of Snowsheds protecting the rail line and the Tamarack Substation near Troy. Small mountain communities like Kingvale and Soda Springs are clustered along the river, while the local education is represented by the Donner Trail Sch.

High-altitude water management is a defining characteristic of this landscape, with numerous alpine bodies including Lake Van Norden, Lake Sterling, and the Ice Lakes dotting the granitic terrain. Recreational and administrative sites like Magonigal Camp and Hampshire Rocks Campground show the intersection of Tahoe National Forest management and seasonal residency. The map provides a precise look at the drainage divide, where the headwaters of the North Fork American River emerge near Devils Peak.