2015 Map of Triple Divide Peak

About this map

Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park meet in this high-altitude landscape dominated by the Great Western Divide. This survey maps the hydrological significance of Triple Divide Peak, a vertex where major drainage systems separate. The geography is defined by narrow passes like Elizabeth Pass and Colby Pass, which facilitate travel between deep glacial valleys such as Deadman Canyon and Cloud Canyon. A network of sub-alpine water bodies, including the Little Five Lakes, Hamilton Lakes, and the uniquely situated Precipice Lake, dot the granite basins. The map also traces the origins of major waterways, specifically the Middle Fork Kaweah River and the Kern-Kaweah River, which begin their descent from the snowfields and the retreating Lilliput Glacier.