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2023 Map of Desert

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Desert
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Desert serves as the focal point of this arid landscape in Emery County, situated along a north-south transportation corridor that transitions from the open expanses of the Gunnison Valley toward the dramatic rising topography of the Book Cliffs. The terrain is defined by stark geological formations, including the prominent Little Elliott Mesa and the drainage of Blue Castle Canyon.

A network of local routes like Smith Camp Rd and Buckmaster Rd provides access to these remote reaches, where water sources such as Trail Spring are critical markers for anyone navigating the high desert. The map illustrates the convergence of high-desert plains and significant vertical features like Mid Mtn, showing a modern landscape still governed by its fundamental geography and the sparse infrastructure required to traverse it.