1954 Map of Carlisle 1 NW

About this map

The Colorado River carves a dramatic path through the high desert of the Colorado Plateau in this mid-1950s survey. The map details a landscape defined by sheer elevation changes, where the high overlook at Dead Horse Point stands watch above the deep drainage of Shafer Basin. This topographic study was compiled using aerial photography from 1953, capturing the remote boundary where Grand Co and San Juan Co meet. The area’s sparse human activity is represented by a single labeled prospect, suggesting early exploration for minerals in the vicinity of Hatch Point. Essential water sources in this arid environment, such as Dripping Spring, are recorded alongside the winding riverbanks where intermittent sand bars form along the interior bends of the canyon floor.