1961 Map of The Dark Hole

About this map

The Dark Hole lies at the geographic center of this rugged landscape, where the high ridges of Black Mountain and Castle Mountain overlook a complex network of canyons and family-named homesteads. The terrain reflects the remote ranching and prospecting life of the early 1960s, evidenced by a scattering of isolated structures like Moore Cabin, York Cabin, and the Riley Cabin (Ruins). The convergence of Fresno, Monterey, and Kings counties occurs in this high country, marked by clear boundary lines that cut through Table Mountain and Turkey Flat. Industrial activity is concentrated on the southern slopes, where the Kings Mine and White Mine sit near an Airstrip, indicating the extraction efforts of the era. Seasonal water sources like Sugar Tail Spring and Vaquero Spring provided critical resources for the Taylor Ranch in a region defined by steep relief and dry creek beds.