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2014 Map of Ruin Point

Name: 2014 Topographic Map of Ruin Point
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2014
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2014

About this map

Hovenweep National Monument anchor this high desert landscape, preserving ancient structural sites within deep drainages like Square Tower Canyon and Little Ruin Canyon. The map reveals a complex geography of mesa tops and canyon networks, where prominent landmarks such as Ruin Point and Cajon Mesa dominate the horizon. In a region where water is a critical resource, the presence of Little Cajon Lake and Cajon Lake provides significant markers in an otherwise arid environment.

Transportation through this borderland is defined by remote routes like Hovenweep Rd and Indian Route 5069 Rd, which follow the natural contours of the land. The map illustrates the convergence of three counties—San Juan, Utah; Dolores, Colorado; and Montezuma, Colorado—highlighting the area's role as a jurisdictional crossroads. This detailed survey traces the intricate relationships between terrain and human heritage, from the heights of Tin Cup Mesa to the depths of Hackberry Canyon and Bridge Canyon.