2021 Map of Malpais Mesa NE

About this map

The Santa Maria River North Fork and the S Fork Santa Maria River define the drainage patterns of this high desert terrain in western Arizona. The landscape is dominated by the eastern reaches of the Mojave Desert and the rising slopes of the McCloud Mountains. Transportation through this arid region is marked by the winding path of Bagdad Rd, which provides access through the complex network of ephemeral watercourses including Little Shipp Wash and Quail Spring Wash. Notable topographical landmarks such as Crosby Mtn and Grayback Mtn serve as significant orientation points for the region. This 2021 survey illustrates the continued importance of riverbed access and the sparse infrastructure characteristic of the Yavapai County backlands, where the relationship between water and the desert environment remains the primary geographic feature.