1966 Map of Mitten Rock

About this map

Navajo Indian Reservation lands dominate this mid-century landscape, centered on the prominent monolith of Mitten Rock. The terrain is defined by a series of drainage systems including Salt Wash, Little Shiprock Wash, and the extensive Shiprock Wash, which carve through the high desert floor toward the northern reaches of Beautiful Mountain. Water management is a critical visible element of this arid environment, evidenced by scattered Flowing Wells, a Flowing Well, and the Big Gap Reservoir nestled near the base of Rock Ridge. The Red Rock Highway provides the primary transit artery across the northern portion of the map, while a network of unimproved trails and a significant Pipeline corridor suggest the infrastructure supporting the local ranching and resource economy during the 1960s. This survey offers a precise record of hydrologic and geologic features in San Juan County before more modern developments.