1979 Map of Sonora Pass

About this map

Sonora Pass serves as the high-altitude gateway between the Stanislaus National Forest and the Toiyabe National Forest, marking the boundary between Tuolumne, Alpine, and Mono Counties. This 1979 survey details a high-Sierra landscape dominated by the protected Emigrant Wilderness and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Evidence of early alpine resource use and travel is noted at the Relief Reservoir, which includes a Dam and Spillway managed by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and a lone Grave located near Chipmunk Flat. The seasonal settlement at Kennedy Meadow provides a base for exploration, while various water features like Blue Canyon Lake and Kennedy Creek feed the headwaters of the Stanislaus River. Small-scale mining interests are indicated by a Prospect near Silver Mine Creek.