1953 Map of Orange Cliffs 3 NW

About this map

The Dirty Devil River carves a complex course through the high desert of southeastern Utah, defining the erosion-sculpted landscape shown in this 1953 topographic study. The river separates expansive plateaus and elevated landforms, including the prominent Sams Mesa and Bert Mesa. The map serves as a record of this wilderness before modern access increased, marking local landmarks like Sams Spring and the steep contours of Happy Canyon. Triangulation stations Vabm 5573 and Vabm 5544 indicate early surveying efforts in this remote canyon country, while the boundary between Wayne Co and Garfield Co cuts across the southern portion of the sheet. Grounded in mid-century aerial photography, the map detail provides an exact look at the natural drainage patterns near Sun Bottom and the high overlooks of Burr Point.