1886 Map of Kaibab

About this map

Colorado River geology and the immense verticality of Northern Arizona are documented here through the work of the Powell Survey. This reconnaissance map highlights a network of vital water sources in an otherwise arid landscape, from Pipe Spring and Moccasin Spring near the northern Arizona Boundary Line to House Rock Spring in the east. The terrain is dominated by high-altitude plateaus and deep incisions, including the Kaibab Plateau and the Coconino Plateau. Named landmarks like Point Sublime and Shivas Temple overlook the river's path, while drainage systems such as Kanab Creek, Tapeats Creek, and Bright Angel Creek carve intricate canyons through the rock. The map captures the region when travel was dictated by the distance between these reliable springs and the natural corridors provided by valleys like Antelope Valley.