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2020 Map of Ruin Point

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Ruin Point
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Hovenweep National Monument preserves a complex archaeological landscape along the Utah-Colorado border, characterized by deep incisions like Square Tower Canyon and Little Ruin Canyon. The terrain transitions from the high elevations of Cajon Mesa and the prominent Ruin Point down into the drainage networks of Cross Canyon and Bridge Canyon. This modern survey documents the intricate trail systems that allow for the exploration of these ancestral sites, including the Ruins Loop Trail and Holly Trail.

Ephemeral water sources such as Little Cajon Lake, Cajon Lake, and Cross Canyon Spring are critical markers in this arid basin environment. The map details the rural road network, notably Squaw Canyon Rd and Cross Canyon Rd, which navigate the mesas and basins like McLean Basin. These features highlight the continued significance of high-desert springs and canyons in defining access to this ancestral Puebloan region.