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2023 Map of Monument Basin

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Monument Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Canyonlands National Park dominates this high-plateau landscape, where the carving action of the Colorado River has created a complex network of canyons and terraces. The map details the dramatic descent from Grand View Point down to the White Rim, a prominent sandstone bench that overlooks the deeply eroded Monument Basin. This area illustrates the classic river-cut topography of the region, featuring sharp meanders and isolated landforms like Guillotine Arch.

Backcountry access is shown through several established paths, including the Gooseberry Canyon Trail and the Murphy Hogback Loop Trail, which navigate the steep elevation changes between the rim and the river. Named drainage systems such as Indian Creek, Meander Canyon, and Rustler Canyon demonstrate how smaller tributaries have fractured the plateau over time, leading down to the riverside flats at Sheep Bottom.