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1983 Map of San Rafael Knob

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of San Rafael Knob
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Secret Mesa and the sweeping Head of Sinbad dominate this arid landscape, which was meticulously mapped in the mid-1970s. The terrain is defined by a labyrinth of deep cuts including Eagle Canyon, Devils Canyon, and Reds Canyon, all converging toward the towering San Rafael Knob. This area reflects a mid-century history of resource exploration, evidenced by numerous Mines and a Prospect scattered throughout the central drainages.

Surface water is a rarity here, noted by small isolated points like Forked Post Pond, Tan Seep, and a Well near Taylor Flat. Transportation across this challenging topography relied heavily on a network of Jeep Trails and the north-south passage through Rods Valley. Distinctive geological landmarks such as Ghost Rock, Dutchman Arch, and Family Butte served as essential navigational markers for surveyors and early explorers of this interior basin.