2001 Map of Poison Canyon

About this map

Dark Canyon Wilderness dominates this remote high-desert landscape in San Juan County, revealing the complex drainage network of the Manti-La Sal National Forest during the early 21st century. The map centers on the deeply incised Dark Canyon and its many tributaries, including Peavine Canyon and Big Canyon. High plateau features like North Elk Ridge and Long Point provided essential grazing land, marked by the presence of Redd Pasture and Horse Pasture. This 2001 revision illustrates a transition in land use, where traditional ranching landmarks meet modern infrastructure like the Communication Site on the ridge. The topography is defined by sharp elevation changes from flat-topped mesas like Steamboat Point to the winding depths of Deadman Canyon, highlighting the geological isolation of the region.