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2021 Map of Point Imperial

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Point Imperial
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

Point Imperial stands as the highest overlook on the North Rim, providing a primary orientation point for this dramatic section of Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest. The landscape is defined by the transition from the high-elevation Kaibab Plateau down through deep drainages like Nankoweap Canyon toward the Marble Canyon section of the Colorado River. The intricate network of ridges and points, including Mt Hayden and Bourke Point, highlights the vertical complexity of the canyon walls.

Backcountry access is mapped through several remote paths, notably the Nankoweap Trl and Ken Patrick Trl, which navigate the steep drop-offs from the Walhalla Plateau. Local landmarks like Kolb Arch and Saddle Mtn emphasize the geological scale of this territory, while water features such as Little Nankoweap Cr and Saddle Canyon Tank show the rare locations where moisture gathers in this arid environment.