2023 Map of Blue Chief Mesa

About this map

The Dolores River winds through a landscape of high plateaus and deep incisions, defining the geography of this part of Grand County. To the north and west, prominent features like Buckhorn Mesa, Hotel Mesa, and Scharf Mesa loom over the river valley. The presence of Old Sharf Ranch Rd and the Utah Bottoms indicates the historical ranching activity that utilized the relatively flat land near the river's edge. Further south, the terrain rises again toward Blue Chief Mesa and Sevenmile Mesa, punctuated by dramatic geological markers such as The Slide and Bridge Canyon. This survey captures a remote stretch of eastern Utah where cattle ranching and rugged topography meet, showing how early roads like Buckhorn followed the natural contours of the mesas to navigate the high desert.