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2014 Map of Merrimac Butte

Name: 2014 Topographic Map of Merrimac Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2014
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2014

About this map

Arches National Park defines the eastern boundary of this high desert landscape, where the plateaus of Cedar Ridge give way to a network of deeply etched drainages. The area is marked by significant geological formations, including the prominent twin features of Merrimac Butte and Monitor Butte, and the isolated spire of Courthouse Rock. Natural water sources, often scarce in this terrain, are identified by several springs such as Courthouse Spring, Lower Courthouse Spring, and Willow Spring, which likely served as vital landmarks for early travelers and cattlemen.

Transportation routes like Us-191 and the Old Hwy follow the natural contours of the land, cutting through Moab Canyon to the southeast. The map reveals a high concentration of natural spans, such as Slickensides Arch, Uranium Arch, and Jacks Arch, many of which are tucked away in the side canyons of Sevenmile Canyon and Courthouse Wash. These features, along with names like Courthouse Pasture and Arths Pasture, suggest a history of seasonal grazing and exploration in the sandstone labyrinth of Grand County.