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2021 Map of Dutch Blue Creek

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Dutch Blue Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

The Blue River carves a deep path through the canyonlands of Apache National Forest, defining a landscape where water sources were the primary anchors for travel and activity. Named springs and tanks are scattered throughout the drainages, from Dead Mule Spring to the thermal waters of Hannah Hot Spring. This remote corridor was navigated by an intricate network of livestock and pack trails, including the Strayhorse Trl and the Cow Flat Trl, which connect high ground like Paint Rock Prairie and Government Mesa to the river floor.

Local ranching history is evidenced by features such as H U Bar Box and H U Bar Tank, marking the infrastructure required for life in this arid, deeply dissected terrain. The map details a labyrinth of geological formations, from the enclosure of the Little Blue Box to the winding depths of Rousensock Canyon and Sycamore Canyon, illustrating how the drainage patterns of Dutch Blue Creek and its tributaries dictated the movement of people and livestock through Greenlee County.