1997 Map of King Bench

About this map

A high desert landscape of deeply carved drainages and expansive plateaus characterizes this section of the Colorado Plateau as it appeared in the late twentieth century. The Escalante River winds through the southern reaches of the quadrangle, joined by significant tributaries like Boulder Creek and The Gulch. This area is defined by its dramatic bench formations, most notably King Bench and the curiously named Brigham Tea Bench, which sit between canyons like Horse Canyon and Hot Canyon. A notable human element in this otherwise wild terrain is the Cliff Dwelling located near Deer Creek, hinting at ancient ancestral habitation within the alcoves of the sandstone walls. These features, along with names like Little Bown Bench and Durffey Mesa, reflect the area's history of cattle ranching and early exploration across the Circle Cliffs region.