Published in 1990 as “Lightning Peak,” this provisional 1:24,000 topographical map by the U.S. Geological Survey presents a richly detailed portrait of Lake Cushman and the mountainous country of Washington’s Olympic region. The provisional designation gives it particular historical interest, capturing an authoritative working view of the landscape at the close of the twentieth century. Lake Cushman dominates the composition, its long, sinuous waters set among steep forested slopes, rugged ridges, and the intricate drainage systems that define the eastern Olympic Mountains. Through precise contouring and shaded woodland areas, the map conveys both the beauty and difficulty of the terrain, offering a vivid record of a landscape shaped by elevation, water, timber, and access.

The U.S. Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became synonymous with exacting topographic mapping in the United States, and this sheet reflects the agency’s mature cartographic language. Designed for practical use by scientists, land managers, engineers, hikers, and foresters, it transforms complex terrain into an intelligible system of contour lines, symbols, boundaries, roads, and trails. In the “Lightning Peak” quadrangle, the USGS’s disciplined style is especially effective: tightly spaced contours reveal abrupt ascents, while carefully drawn streams and lakes emphasize the hydrological richness of the Olympic Peninsula. The result is a map that is both technical and evocative, translating wilderness into a readable landscape without diminishing its scale or drama.

Lake Cushman is the principal landmark, but the surrounding place names give the map its distinctive regional character. The sheet includes Strike Valley, Queen Lake, Lower Lonesome Lake, Upper Lonesome Lake, Lost Lake, and Lake of the Woods, each set within an intricate mountain-and-forest setting. Streams such as Goose Creek, Kline Creek, Rays Creek, and Rec Branch trace the folded terrain, feeding the larger watershed of the Hamma Hamma River and the wider Olympic system. These names suggest a landscape long known through exploration, timber activity, recreation, and local use. Roads and trails thread through the map, marking the human routes into country otherwise defined by steep slopes and dense forest.

The topographic character of the map is especially compelling around Lightning Peak, Mt. Washington, Mt. Skokomish, and the ridge systems associated with the Elwha River. Here, the contour lines gather and bend in close formation, giving an immediate sense of the Olympic Mountains’ rugged relief. The map captures a terrain of sharp divides, narrow drainages, high basins, and forested approaches, where elevation governs movement and water shapes every route. Its green woodland shading and layered contour structure allow the viewer to read the land almost three-dimensionally, from lakeside margins to high ridgelines. For collectors of mountain cartography, it offers a precise and atmospheric study of Olympic wilderness.

As a 1990 record, “Lightning Peak” also preserves a moment in the evolving management of the Olympic National Forest and the recreational landscapes surrounding Lake Cushman. Forest boundary lines, roads, and trails document patterns of access and land use before subsequent changes in environmental regulation, conservation priorities, and outdoor recreation pressures altered how many such landscapes were understood and used. Lake Cushman has long attracted visitors for boating, camping, fishing, and mountain access, while the surrounding national forest is celebrated for biodiversity and dramatic scenery. This map therefore serves not only as a guide to terrain, but as a historical snapshot of the relationship between public land, wilderness, and recreation in late twentieth-century Washington.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Lake Cushman
• Olympic National Forest
• Strike Valley
• Hamma Hamma River
• Queen Lake
• Lower Lonesome Lake
• Upper Lonesome Lake
• Lost Lake
• Rec Branch
• Goose Creek
• Kline Creek
• Rays Creek
• Lake of the Woods
• Mt. Washington
• Lightning Peak
• Ridge of Elwha River
• Mt. Skokomish
• Forest boundary lines
• Various trails and roads depicted throughout the area

Historical context & cartographic details

• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Washington, dated 1990 and labeled as a provisional map.
• Published by the US Geological Survey, a scientific agency of the United States government known for detailed mapping and geographic data.
• The USGS has a long history of producing topographical maps used for natural resource management, land planning, and outdoor recreation.
• Shows surrounding natural features, including mountains, forested terrain, and rugged Olympic-region landscapes.
• Uses contour lines, green shading, and layered elevation detail to clearly represent terrain and elevation changes.
• Reflects the geographical understanding and land-use determinations of the area in 1990.
• Provides a snapshot of the region before later changes related to development, environmental policy, and recreational use.

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.