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2023 Map of Cave Flat

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Cave Flat
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The high plateau country of Tarantula Mesa and Swap Mesa dominates this landscape in southern Garfield County, where deep incisions from intermittent watercourses define the geology. The drainage network is particularly dense here, with Muley Creek carving a complex path through the center of the sheet, while the western edge is marked by the steep walls of Spring Canyon. To the east, the terrain rises toward the western flanks of the Henry Mountains, providing a dramatic transition from the flat-topped mesas to the high peaks.

This 2023 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey illustrates the isolated character of Cave Flat, a relatively level expanse positioned between the rugged breaks of Pipe Spring Canyon and Divide Canyon. Smaller tributaries like Five Canyon and Seven Canyon feed into the larger wash systems, highlighting the erosion patterns that characterize this portion of the Colorado Plateau. The map serves as a contemporary record of these named landforms, preserving the nomenclature of the canyons and mesas that have guided travelers through this desert region for generations.