2012 Map of Hellhole Bend

About this map

The Little Colorado River defines the landscape of this Coconino County region, carving dramatic features like Hellhole Bend and Mule Shoe Bend. This 2012 survey illustrates a rugged expanse of high-desert terrain marked by deep incisions such as Lee Canyon and Dead Indian Canyon. The map reveals a specialized network of primitive and forest roads, including the Gray Mountain Truck Trl and Coconino Rim Rd, which navigate the elevation changes near prominent landmarks like Saddle Horn Rock and the Saddle Seat. Sparse water resources, essential in this arid environment, are represented by catchments like Smiley Tank. This documentation of the area’s topography highlights the transition between historical routes like Old Hwy 64 and more modern forest management roads, serving as a record of access and land use within the Coconino National Forest boundaries.