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2001 Map of Ray Mesa

Name: 2001 Topographic Map of Ray Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2004
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2004

About this map

Ray Mesa defines the high desert landscape along the border of Utah and Colorado, captured here as it appeared in the late 20th century. This portion of the Manti-La Sal National Forest is heavily marked by the region's mid-century uranium and vanadium mining boom. The map reveals an intricate network of specialized resource extraction, featuring notable sites such as the Vanadium Queen Mine, Blue Cap Mine, and the Saint Patrick Mine.

A remote Landing Strip on the mesa top underscores the isolation of these operations, which were often accessible only by rugged trails through Horsethief Canyon or along La Sal Creek. For those studying the industrial history of the Colorado Plateau, the map provides precise locations for numerous prospects and infrastructure, including several drill holes and an air shaft, reflecting the underground labor required to tap the mineral wealth of the San Juan and Montrose county line.