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1953 Map of Circle Cliffs 4 NW

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Circle Cliffs 4 NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The Escalante River winds through a deeply incised canyon system in this 1953 survey, carving through the high plateau country of Garfield County. The terrain is characterized by massive elevated formations such as Big Bowns Bench and the narrow Little Bowms Bench to the northwest. This preliminary edition highlights the intricate drainage patterns of the region, where Harris Wash feeds into the main river channel amidst a complex network of smaller tributaries like North Fork Creek and Dry Fork.

One of the most significant historical markers on the sheet is the Hole-In-The-Rock Road, a route established by Mormon pioneers in the late 19th century that follows the high ground above the river. The topography transition between the wide expanses of S W Bench and Baker Bench illustrates the stark geological layering of the Circle Cliffs area before modern infrastructure altered the accessibility of this high-desert landscape.