1956 Map of Tuolumne Meadows

About this map

Yosemite National Park dominates this mid-century survey, showcasing a landscape of high-altitude granite domes and a network of camps that defined the Sierra Nevada wilderness experience in the 1950s. The presence of Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, and May Lake High Sierra Camp illustrates the established infrastructure for backcountry tourism long before modern overcrowding. The map records the intersection of the historic John Muir Trail and the Tioga Road, providing a glimpse into the accessibility of Tuolumne Meadows at the time. Beyond recreation, the remnants of human industry appear at the Great Sierra Mine and the settlement of Bennettville, while the Parsons Memorial Lodge near Soda Springs stands as a landmark of regional conservation history. The intricate drainage of the Tuolumne River is traced through a series of falls, including Waterwheel Falls and White Cascade.