This pictorial map of Yosemite National Park from 1923 presents a bird’s-eye view of the region, highlighting key landmarks, roads, and natural features in a style reminiscent of early 20th-century travel maps.
The perspective emphasizes dramatic elevation changes, with key points of interest labeled for travelers navigating the park. A prominent feature of the map is Tioga Road, which winds through the park, connecting the eastern entrance at Tioga Pass with major landmarks such as Tuolumne Meadows, a vast subalpine landscape noted for its pristine beauty. The road continues westward, passing near Tenaya Lake and other significant points before descending toward Yosemite Valley. Tuolumne Meadows itself is marked with the location of Tuolumne Lodge, which, in the 1920s, served as a key accommodation for visitors exploring the high country.
Further south, the map showcases Glacier Point, a famed overlook providing sweeping views of Yosemite Valley. The site includes references to Glacier Point Mountain House, which, during this era, was a well-known lodge for tourists seeking panoramic vistas of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the Merced River below. Other notable locations near the valley include Camp Curry and Yosemite Lodge, both of which were popular with travelers in the early automobile age.
To the northwest, Hetch Hetchy Valley is prominently displayed, with references to Hetch Hetchy Lodge and the reservoir, which was a subject of national debate following the controversial damming of the Tuolumne River. The inclusion of Hetch Hetchy underscores its historical importance at the time, as the area was still a significant part of Yosemite’s landscape, albeit altered by human intervention.
In the southwestern portion of the map, Mariposa Big Trees is depicted, home to the iconic Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is labeled alongside Big Trees Lodge, now known as Wawona Hotel, which was a major hub for visitors admiring the ancient sequoias. The road leading to Wawona Point and Inspiration Point highlights the scenic routes available to travelers venturing deeper into the park.
Beyond Yosemite, the map extends to include Mono Lake, Lake Tahoe, and Bridgeport, providing context for the park’s broader geography and its connections to the Sierra Nevada region.