1886 Map of Kaibab

About this map

Colorado River currents carve a deep path through this late nineteenth-century landscape, flanked by the massive Kaibab Plateau and Kanab Plateau. This survey, conducted under the direction of J. W. Powell, reveals a territory defined by its scarce water sources and dramatic verticality. Vital watering points like Pipe Spring, Moccasin Spring, and House Rock Spring provided essential stopovers for early travelers and settlers navigating the arid stretches between the Vermilion Cliffs and the canyon depths. Named landmarks such as Point Sublime and Shivas Temple overlook the labyrinthine drainage systems of Kanab Creek and Bright Angel Creek. The presence of De Motte Park and various upland tanks and springs suggests a landscape where movement was dictated by the seasonal availability of water along the high plateaus.