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2014 Map of Mexican Mountain

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

USGS Topo · Published 2014

About this map

The San Rafael River carves a dramatic path through the heart of the San Rafael Swell, defining the geological character of this Emery County region. The river winds through tight bends such as Mexican Bend and passes through the restrictive narrows of the Black Box. This landscape is dominated by massive uplifted features, most notably the towering Mexican Mtn and the jagged hogback of the San Rafael Reef.

Evidence of human presence in this arid environment is sparse, centered on the Smith Cabin and the network of primitive routes like Cottonwood Wash Rd and Co Road 1030. These tracks navigate the difficult terrain between significant landmarks such as Horse Heaven, Calf Mesa, and Nates Canyon. The drainage patterns are clearly etched into the desert floor, with Cottonwood Wash, Lost Spring Wash, and Tidwell Draw funneling seasonal runoff toward the main river channel, illustrating the erosion that has shaped these mesas and canyons over eons.