This beautiful color lithograph titled Great Basin from the Summit of the Tejon Pass is part of the geological survey plates produced by the United States Pacific Railroad Exploration and Surveys. The image shows a panoramic view of the Great Basin as seen from the Tejon Pass, with rolling hills and open plains stretching into the distance. In the foreground, a group of mounted individuals is depicted, likely surveyors or travelers, navigating the rugged terrain.
The lithograph captures both the expansive geography of the region and the challenges faced by those traversing the pass, highlighting the natural beauty and isolation of the area. This plate forms part of the scientific documentation of the landscape as part of efforts to identify suitable routes for the transcontinental railroad during the mid-19th century.