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1886 Map of Kaibab

Name: 1886 Topographic Map of Kaibab
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1906
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1906

About this map

The Colorado River carves a path through the southern half of this landscape, its deep canyon walls defining a territory documented during the Powell Survey. To the north, the Arizona Boundary Line marks the edge of the territory, while the dramatic rising elevations of the Kaibab Plateau and Coconino Plateau dominate the central geography. This early reconnaissance effort focuses heavily on the survival-essential water sources of the high desert, identifying numerous isolated springs such as Moccasin Spring, Mangum Spring, and House Rock Spring.

Significant landmarks of the inner canyon are already being named and recorded, including the heights of Shivas Temple and Point Sublime. The map reveals a wild, unpopulated expanse where natural drainages like Kanab Creek, Shinumo Creek, and Bright Angel Creek serve as the primary features for orientation and travel. To the far north, the Vermilion Cliffs and Shinarump Cliffs create a massive geologic staircase leading away from the river's influence.