2023 Map of Ninemile Knoll

About this map

Escalante Desert floor and the rising slopes of the Black Mountains meet in this southwestern Utah landscape along the border of Beaver Co and Iron Co. The map documents a transition from the broad, arid flats of the desert toward the more complex topography of the foothills. Sparse water sources are the defining features of this environment, including Cactus Pond, Mound Pond, and Sand Pond, which sit at the base of the drainage systems. Human infrastructure is limited to travel corridors like Thermal Rd and the S Spur of East Fork Rd. The central landmark, Ninemile Knoll, rises from the desert floor, while the southern portion of the sheet is dominated by deep cuts such as Black Canyon and Little Black Canyon, indicating the drainage patterns that feed into The Sink and isolated water points like Dry Willow Spring.