Loading map...

1957 Map of Elk Ridge 4 SE

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Elk Ridge 4 SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

White Mesa and Black Mesa define this high plateau landscape, where the deeply carved drainage of Cottonwood Canyon and the Brushy Basin break the horizontal lines of the San Juan County terrain. In the late 1950s, this area was a workspace of transition, containing a remote Landing Strip, several Tunnels, and a mining Prospect that indicate mid-century exploration of the region's geological resources.

Evidence of much earlier inhabitants is noted at the Cliff Dwelling located along the eastern canyon walls, providing a sharp contrast to the modern industrial features. Water sources, vital in this arid environment, are specifically identified at Zekes Hole and various unnamed springs along Westwater Creek. The network of Jeep Trails shown throughout the survey reflects the rugged logistical challenges of accessing these high-altitude mesas and deep washes during the post-war era.