Loading map...

2010 Map of Moccasin Mesa

Name: 2010 Topographic Map of Moccasin Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2010
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2010

About this map

Ancient cliff dwellings and ancestral structures populate the high plateaus of Mesa Verde National Park on this topographic survey. The landscape is defined by a series of south-reaching landforms including Chapin Mesa, Moccasin Mesa, and Whites Mesa, separated by deep drainage systems like Soda Canyon and Morefield Canyon. These mesas hold significant archaeological sites, ranging from the complex architecture of Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House to more isolated sites such as House of Many Windows, Boneawl House, and Inaccessible House.

The presence of the Mesa Verde Quarry and various overlooks such as Sun Point Pueblo and Badger House Overlook highlights the dual nature of this area as both a protected archaeological site and a modern center for research and tourism. The southern edge of the map follows the course of the Mancos River as it cuts through Mancos Canyon, providing a permanent water source in this arid environment and marking a clear geographical boundary for the mesa systems above.