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2017 Map of Blue Chief Mesa

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Blue Chief Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

The Dolores River cuts a deep path through the high desert plateau of eastern Grand County, defining the drainage patterns for a network of named canyons and mesas. This landscape is characterized by its prominent geological benches, including the extensive Blue Chief Mesa in the south and Scharf Mesa to the north. Movement through the area is largely dictated by the terrain, with historical access routes like the Old Scharf Ranch Rd and trails through Buckhorn Draw connecting the uplands to the river basin.

Local landmarks such as The Slide and Hotel Mesa provide distinct navigational points above the river's winding course. The map details the transition from the Sevenmile Area to the riparian flats of Utah Bottoms, where the rare level ground near the river once supported ranching activity. Tributaries like Granite Creek and Cottonwood Canyon further dissect the mesas, illustrating the complex erosional history of this part of the Colorado Plateau.