1962 Map of Aneth

About this map

The San Juan River defines the heart of this landscape, cutting through high mesas where the Navajo Indian Reservation meets the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation. In the early 1960s, the settlement of Aneth served as a focal point for the region, complete with an Airstrip, a Cemetery, and access to the Aneth Road. Human history here spans centuries, evidenced by the proximity of modern infrastructure like the Pipeline to ancient Cliff Dwellings and scattered Ruins found near McElmo Creek. Distinctive landforms such as Peters Nipple, Three Gray Hills, and Lone Mountain punctuate the arid terrain, while deep washes like Tsitah Wash and Coyote Wash reveal the erosive power of the desert environment. For researchers, the map provides a look at the intersection of traditional land use and mid-century resource extraction, marked by numerous drill holes and flowing wells throughout the mesas.