1940 Map of Trail Canyon

About this map

San Gabriel Mountains dominate this 1935 survey, showing the steep and complex drainage systems within the Angeles National Forest. The map documents a wilderness landscape defined by sharp peaks like Iron Mountain and Condor Peak, where human intervention is limited to a network of utility infrastructure and fire management features. A prominent transmission line cuts across the northern canyons, while several firebreaks are etched into the ridges to protect the watershed. Water sources are critical markers in this arid environment, with Yerba Buena Spring and the Big Cienega marshy area providing vital points of reference. Transport is restricted to the Big Tujunga Canyon Road in the south and traditional routes like the Buena Vista Trail, illustrating the area's role as a protected forest reserve before mid-century expansion reached these higher elevations.