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1956 Map of Tassajara Hot Springs

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Tassajara Hot Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Tassajara Hot Springs serves as the focal point for this mid-1950s survey of the Monterey backcountry. The map illustrates a landscape primarily defined by its hydrology and seasonal camps, with the North Fork Big Sur River and South Fork Big Sur River cutting through the terrain. A network of primitive infrastructure is documented, including the Coast Ridge Road and the North Coast Ridge Trail, which provide the only significant access to these remote areas.

Evidence of historical land use appears through numerous named camps and landmarks, such as Rocky Creek Camp, Higgins Camp, and Deer Pasture. These labels indicate a mid-century reliance on backcountry staging areas for ranching or forestry within the Los Padres National Forest. The presence of a Water Tank and several bench marks like BM 2091 and BM 1787 offer precise reference points for researchers interested in the historical topography and development of this part of the California coast range.