2020 Map of Big Triangle

About this map

The Colorado River carves a deep path through Grand County in this modern survey, revealing the complex drainage systems of the high desert. This stretch of the river is punctuated by named whitewater features including Skull Rapids, Sock-It-To-Me Rapids, and Last Chance Rapids, indicating the significant elevation changes within Westwater Canyon. The landscape is dominated by expansive plateaus and mesa-like formations, most notably Big Triangle and Little Triangle, which are separated by a network of seasonal watercourses such as Renegade Cr and Ryan Cr. Evidence of the region’s topography is further illustrated by features like Sand Flat and Grand Valley, while smaller tributaries like Agate Wash and Cottonwood Wash feed into the primary river corridor. This map highlights the area's transition from broad flats to the narrow, restricted passages of Star Canyon and Trail Canyon, characteristic of the Colorado Plateau's erosional history.