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1985 Map of Poison Canyon

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Poison Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

Manti-La Sal National Forest dominates this mid-1980s landscape, where a complex network of canyons and high plateaus defines the terrain of San Juan County. The drainage patterns are intricate, with Poison Canyon and Deadman Canyon cutting deep into the mesas, eventually feeding into the Dark Canyon system. Higher elevations are marked by North Elk Ridge and Horse Mtn, offering a view of the topographic isolation of the Colorado Plateau.

Water sources are vital markers in this arid environment, represented by Big Spring, Sego Spring, and the high-altitude Duck Lake. While the map reflects a wilderness character, human presence is traced through a legacy of movement along the Pack Trail and Drift Trail. Named features like Ruin Canyon hint at the area's deeper archaeological history, while locations such as Sego Flat and Chimney Park indicate traditional land use patterns for grazing and camp sites.