This is not a history story but you should not be standing at the start of this hike up Mt. Judah without knowing the interesting fact that you are standing right on the Sierra Divide here.

Water from any rainfall that falls just to the west of the trailhead or any snow that melts just to the west of the trailhead will eventually head to San Francisco and out the Golden Gate (if it is not sucked up by thirsty cities and farmers first).

Water from any rainfall that falls just to the east of the trailhead or any snow that melts just to the east of the trailhead will eventually head to Pyramid Lake beyond Reno. The water will join the Truckee River flowing out from Lake Tahoe and go east.