Loading map...

1954 Map of Elk Ridge 1 NE

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Elk Ridge 1 NE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Wilson Ranch stands as a rare point of human habitation in this mid-century survey of the high desert and canyon lands within the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The landscape is dominated by the massive forms of Shay Mesa and Bridger Jack Mesa, separated by deep drainages like North Cottonwood Canyon and Shay Canyon. This 1954 preliminary edition indicates a rich cultural history alongside its physical geography, specifically noting Ruins and Petroglyphs that highlight the long-standing indigenous presence in the area.

The topography climbs toward the peaks of Shay Mtn and across the high elevations of Shay Ridge, where the terrain transitions into the more open Robertson Pasture. Water sources are vital but scattered, marked by various unnamed Spring labels and the isolated Lake and Stock Pond at higher altitudes. The inclusion of The Wilderness label reflects the remote and largely undeveloped character of San Juan County during this era.