1988 Map of Big Point

About this map

Navajo Indian Reservation lands dominate this late-century landscape, defined by high-altitude plateaus and the deep erosion of the East Fork Copper Canyon and West Fork Copper Canyon. The sheer cliffs of Nokai Mesa and Hoskinnini Mesa overlook a network of seasonal drainages and isolated landforms like Begaashitahani. This 1988 provisional survey indicates a topography largely untouched by modern development, where transportation is limited to rugged 4wd tracks and footpaths. A rare sign of industrial activity is found near the northern edge, where Mine Shafts are marked atop a mesa. The presence of a Spring and the expansive Todicheenie Bench illustrate the vital, limited water sources and transitional terrain that characterize the high desert geography near the Utah-Arizona border.