1963 Map of Grand Gulch

About this map

Cliff Dwellings and Petroglyphs dot the deeply incised canyons of the Grand Gulch plateau, reflecting the ancient human history of this canyon country. At the time of this 1963 survey, the San Juan River was undergoing a significant transformation as the rising waters of Lake Powell began to back into the lower reaches of the drainage. The map captures the borderlands between the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Navajo Indian Reservation to the south, marked by landmarks like Cowboy Hat and the high vantage of Point Lookout. The intricate network of drainage systems, including Slickhorn Canyon, Bullet Canyon, and Dripping Canyon, underscores the complexity of the topography between the Clay Hills and the northern edge of Monument Valley. Sparse human presence is limited to remote outposts like Red House and seasonal grazing areas such as Pollys Pasture.