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1969 Map of Island Mesa

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Island Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Island Mesa and the surrounding high plateau country are defined by a complex network of drainage systems feeding toward the Gunnison River at the turn of the 1970s. The landscape is carved by significant topographical depressions like Hells Hole and extensive canyon networks including Bangs Canyon and Rough Canyon. These deep incisions in the mesa create a distinct pattern of isolated benches and ridges, such as Clarks Bench and Horse Mesa.

Resource extraction and early land use are evident through the presence of Claypits and various drill holes scattered across the terrain. Water sources remain critical in this arid environment, marked by named points like Notch Spring, End Spring, and Corduroy Spring. A network of jeep trails provides the primary access through this dissected terrain, connecting the high reaches of Ninemile Hill to the seasonal flows of Unaweep East Canyon Creek and North East Creek.