1953 Map of Cummings Mesa

About this map

Lake Powell and the Colorado River dominate this canyon landscape, defining the intersection of Utah and Arizona long before modern development transformed the region. The map details the transition from the high Kaiparowits Plateau and Fiftymile Mountain in the north down to the deep drainages of Rock Creek Bay. The complex topography is punctuated by river bars like Klondike Bar and Wild Horse Bar, which served as critical landmarks for early river travelers and prospectors. To the south, the Navajo Indian Reservation boundary follows the river’s path, while the massive Cummings Mesa rises as a prominent landmark. This 1953 survey, with revisions noted through the late 1970s, captures the remote character of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the dramatic verticality of the Straight Cliffs.