Published with a 1990 imprint, “Lake Quinault East” is a United States Geological Survey 1:24,000 topographic map devoted to one of the most beautiful landscapes on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Marked as a provisional edition, it belongs to the practical yet elegant tradition of USGS mapping, in which scientific precision serves explorers, planners, conservationists, and residents alike. The sheet centers on Lake Quinault and its surrounding terrain, where water, forest, reservation lands, and protected wilderness meet in a compact but richly varied setting. Its carefully drawn contour lines give immediate form to the slopes, valleys, and ridges that define the region, while roads, trails, streams, and place names create a detailed portrait of this Pacific Northwest landscape at the close of the twentieth century.

Lake Quinault itself is the map’s defining presence, a deep, forest-fringed lake near the western edge of Olympic National Park. Fed and shaped by the Quinault River system, the lake lies within a region celebrated for extraordinary rainfall, old-growth forest, and lush temperate rainforest ecosystems. The map captures the close relationship between water and terrain: river corridors thread through valleys, slopes rise steeply from lowlands, and drainage patterns reveal the power of climate and geology in shaping the Olympic landscape. For anyone interested in the natural history of Washington, the map offers more than orientation; it presents Lake Quinault as part of a living hydrological and ecological system, where mountains, forests, and waterways are inseparably linked.

The inclusion of the Quinault Indian Reservation gives the map particular cultural and historical importance. This landscape is not merely scenic wilderness, but homeland, resource, and place of enduring Indigenous presence. The Quinault people have long been connected to the rivers, forests, and coastal environments of the western Olympic Peninsula, and the map’s boundaries hint at overlapping histories of sovereignty, conservation, forestry, and recreation. Nearby segments of Olympic National Park further underscore the region’s layered identity: protected federal land, tribal land, wilderness, and working forest all appear within a relatively small geographic frame. In this way, “Lake Quinault East” records a landscape shaped by both deep cultural continuity and modern land-management decisions.

Cartographically, the map exemplifies the disciplined beauty of USGS topographic design. Subtly colored contour lines articulate elevation with clarity, translating the rugged character of the Olympic Mountains into a legible visual language. At 1:24,000 scale, the map is detailed enough to show roads around the lake, campgrounds, hiking routes, river courses, and forested areas, while still allowing the larger structure of the terrain to emerge. The contours are especially expressive around the steeper uplands and valleys, making the rise from lake basin to mountain flank immediately apparent. Its clear scale, standardized symbols, and restrained palette reflect the USGS commitment to maps that are both technically authoritative and visually enduring.

Beyond Lake Quinault, the map reaches into the broader mountain country associated with the Colonel Bob Wilderness and adjoining forest lands. This is a terrain of ridges, drainages, and densely wooded slopes, where trails and roads suggest both access and remoteness. The map evokes the experience of moving through Olympic Peninsula country: following river valleys, ascending through forest, and encountering sudden shifts in elevation and exposure. Historically, such maps supported changing patterns of land use, from timber management and road building to recreation and ecological protection. As conservation efforts expanded around Olympic National Park and surrounding wilderness areas, maps like this became vital records of a region where natural grandeur, public access, and environmental stewardship continue to intersect.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Lake Quinault
• Quinault Indian Reservation
• Olympic National Park
• Quinault River
• Colonel Bob Wilderness
• Several forested areas
• Various hiking trails
• Campgrounds
• Roads surrounding the area

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical 1:24,000 topographical map shows Lake Quinault in Washington and the surrounding area.
• The map is dated 1990 and carries a 1990 imprint.
• Special features include provisional status.
• The USGS has a long history of producing reliable topographical maps for scientific research and land use planning.
• Lake Quinault is located near the western edge of Olympic National Park, an area known for diverse ecosystems and dramatic landscapes.
• The map uses a classic topographic style with contour lines representing elevation changes.
• A clear scale is included to aid in distance measurement.
• The terrain is varied, featuring high mountain ranges and valleys characteristic of the rugged Olympic Mountains.
• The region has seen changes in land use and conservation efforts, especially with the establishment of protected areas like Olympic National Park.
• Subtly colored contour lines illustrate topographic changes with clarity and aesthetic appeal typical of USGS maps.

Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.

Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.