1954 Map of Polar Mesa

About this map

The Dolores River winds through the northern reaches of this mid-century survey, carving deep canyons that define the border between Utah and Colorado. Much of the landscape is dominated by the high plateaus of Polar Mesa and Beaver Mesa, which sit within the expansive Manti-La Sal National Forest. To the southwest, the dramatic rise of the La Sal Mountains is marked by prominent summits including Manns Peak and Mt Waas. The presence of a Grain Storage Tank on the mesa and scattered reservoirs near Kirks Basin indicates the area's use for high-altitude ranching and agriculture despite the isolated terrain. In the southeast, the geological anomaly of Sinbad Valley provides a distinct contrast to the surrounding mesa tops like Dolores Point, illustrating the complex drainage patterns of Deep Creek and Roc Creek.