1988 Map of Musselman Arch

About this map

Canyonlands National Park and the high plateau of Island in the Sky dominate this 1988 landscape, where vertical relief defines the settlement pattern. This era shows the developed infrastructure of the park, including a Visitor Center, Heliport, and Airport Tower situated near The Neck. The map reveals the dramatic transition from the plateau down to the White Rim and the Colorado River below, capturing the primitive 4WD road network that provided access to the backcountry. Notable geological features like Musselman Arch, Mesa Arch, and the isolated spire of Washer Woman are precisely located alongside several prospect sites, reflecting both the recreational and extractive history of the San Juan County high desert. The survey also traces the winding course of the river through the Goose Neck as it enters Shafer Canyon.