1954 Map of Bears Ears

About this map

Bears Ears towers as the namesake landmark of this 1950s survey, marking a rugged plateau landscape within the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The map documents a period of active land management and early modern access, evidenced by the Kigalia Ranger Sta and a solitary Airstrip situated on the high ridge. This area preserves traces of much older human history, with several Cliff Dwellings and a Natural Arch recorded along the deep incisions of Grand Gulch. The terrain is defined by dramatic transitions from broad, flat mesas like Deer Flat and Harmony Flat to the labyrinthine drainage systems of White Canyon and Mule Canyon. Historic transit is represented by the Mormon Trail, which skirts across Mormon Flat and Hells Half Acre, reflecting the legacy of late 19th-century pioneers who navigated this complex geography.