2010 Map of Island Mesa

About this map

Horse Mesa and the plateau of Island Mesa dominate this landscape in western Colorado, where a complex network of drainages has carved the terrain into distinct benches and deep ravines. The Gunnison River clips the northeastern corner, while the southern reaches are defined by the convergence of Unaweep Canyon and East Creek. This 2010 survey illustrates the remote character of the region, marked by named watering points like Notch Spring, End Spring, and Corduroy Spring that were essential for early land use. Small-scale human markers appear in the southeast, where 31 4/10 Rd skirts the base of Ninemile Hill, providing access to this high-desert environment. The density of named canyons, from Hells Hole to the bifurcated West Bangs Canyon, reflects a terrain where topography dictated the path of travel and resource extraction.