2017 Map of Clay Hills

About this map

Clay Hills Pass serves as a central waypoint for travel through this high desert terrain, where water sources like Irish Green Spring and Green Water Spring provided critical stops for travelers and livestock. The landscape is defined by deep incisions through the Red Rock Plateau, including the branching drainage of Muleshoe Canyon and Steer Pasture Canyon. These geological features dictate the limited movement across the region, as seen in the route of Highway 276 and the winding path of Whirlwind Crossing Road. In the southern portion of the map, the East Fork Mikes Canyon and Whirlwind Draw show the complex erosion patterns typical of the Clay Hills formation. The relationship between isolated water points and the difficult topography of Castle Wash highlights the challenges of navigating this corner of San Juan County.