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1989 Map of Cedar Mesa North

Name: 1989 Topographic Map of Cedar Mesa North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

Emigrant Trail traces a path through the northeastern corner of this high desert landscape, marking a historical corridor of movement across the plateau. The terrain is defined by the massive uplift of Cedar Mesa and Polly Mesa, which are incised by dramatic drainage systems like Grand Gulch and Bullet Canyon. These deep canyons and their associated springs provided critical water and shelter in an otherwise arid environment.

A series of high-altitude plains, including Coyote Flat, Sheiks Flat, and Todie Flat, characterize the level surfaces between the canyon rims. The southern portion of the map follows the winding course of Lime Creek, showing the complex topography that historically challenged travelers and settlers in San Juan County. This 1989 provisional map reflects the area as it was surveyed through the mid-1980s, highlighting the enduring physical barriers that shaped the region's geography.