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2019 Map of Red Canyon

Name: 2019 Topographic Map of Red Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2019
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2019

About this map

The Dolores River and San Miguel River converge in this western Colorado landscape, carving through a series of high mesas and deep drainage basins. The area is defined by its dramatic topographic relief, where flat-topped landmarks like Blue Mesa, Lone Tree Mesa, and Atkinson Mesa stand high above the winding river valleys. These landforms create a distinct staircase of plateaus, including Carpenter Flats and Martin Mesa, which have historically dictated the placement of back-country roads and access points.

Water serves as the primary architect of the terrain, with the Roc Cr and Atkinson Cr cutting through the mesas to meet the larger river systems. A network of primitive routes, such as q12 RD and p12 RD, follows the natural contours of the land, providing access to remote corners like Moon Canyon and Beehive Canyon. This 2019 survey documents the enduring physical character of the region, showing how the drainage patterns of Mesa Cr and its tributaries continue to shape the isolated geography along the Montrose County border.