2020 Map of Mesa Butte

About this map

Mesa Butte anchors the central portion of this Emery County landscape, where the high desert terrain is defined by dramatic geological formations and intermittent drainage systems. The northern reaches of the quadrangle feature the sharp elevation changes of the Coal Cliffs and Molen Reef, while the central corridor is marked by the passage of Interstate 70 through Red Valley. This transport route runs roughly parallel to Ivie Cr and Muddy Cr, which have carved significant features like Blue Trail Canyon into the plateau. The map details a complex network of county roads, such as Co RD 912 and Co RD 917, which provide access to the remote cattle and resource lands surrounding Mulligan Wash and the Sand Bench. These labels reflect a history of land use focused on grazing and passage through the San Rafael Swell region, documenting the modern infrastructure layered over ancient canyon geography.