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1954 Map of Clay Hills

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Clay Hills
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The San Juan River carves a deep path through this mid-century landscape, serving as the northern boundary for the Navajo Indian Reservation. This map reveals a high-desert environment defined by massive plateaus and sharp vertical relief, including Red Mesa and the towering Clay Hills Cliffs. Evidence of early habitation is visible at the Cliff Dwelling sites near Irish Green Spring, while the ranching and agricultural attempts of the era are marked by small outposts like Rockhouse and Piute Farms.

Logistical challenges of the terrain are evident in the remote river access at Clay Hills Crossing and the reliance on isolated infrastructure like the Landing Strip and named water sources such as Nancys Pool. The transition from the northern Moqui Canyon down to the northern reaches of Monument Valley illustrates the complex drainage systems of Oljeto Wash and Whirlwind Draw before they meet the San Juan.