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2018 Map of Cooks Mesa

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Cooks Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

The Tonto National Forest defines this high-desert landscape, where the boundary between Yavapai and Maricopa counties cuts through steep canyons and prominent mesas. The terrain is marked by the New River Mountains to the west and the expansive Cooks Mesa to the east, illustrating a complex network of drainage basins. Water management for livestock and wildlife is evident through numerous named catchments such as Picket Corral Tank, Mormon Tank, and Island Mesa Tank.

Remote geological features dominate the survey, from the sharp profile of Benchmark Mtn to the winding depths of White Dyke Canyon. The presence of Cave Creek Rd and various forest routes like RD 41 provides a sense of the modern access points into this traditionally difficult-to-navigate backcountry. Notable landmarks such as The Island and Six Bar Ridge serve as critical navigational waypoints in a region defined by its verticality.