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1969 Map of Desert

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Desert
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad corridor dictates the settlement pattern of this arid Emery County landscape as it appeared in the late 1960s. Small rail-side points like Desert and Sphinx highlight the region's historical reliance on the tracks for connectivity through the high desert. Along the eastern edge of the quadrangle, the towering Book Cliffs and Middle Mtn create a formidable natural barrier, with the deeply incised Blue Castle Canyon cutting through the stone.

Water management and transport history are evident in features such as the Rio Grande Well and the presence of an Old RR Grade, suggesting an evolution of the local infrastructure. Arroyos and intermittent drainages like Lost Spring Wash, Saleratus Wash, and Cottonwood Wash define the local topography, while a Radio Facility and various Jeep Trails represent the modern imprint on this remote territory.