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2020 Map of Sand Canyon

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

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

El Malpais National Monument dominates the northwestern corner of this quadrangle, preserving a volcanic landscape where Lava Falls marks a significant geologic feature. The terrain is defined by a series of dramatic canyons and high tablelands, most notably the expansive Cebollita Mesa and its accompanying Cebolla Canyon to the north. These drainage systems, including Sand Canyon and Homestead Canyon, carve deep into the high desert plateau of Cibola County.

Local navigation and historical access are traced through several gravel and dirt routes, such as the El Malpais Road and Pie Town Rd. Small, vital water sources like Armijo Spring are tucked away in the rugged folds of Armijo Canyon, illustrating the sparse but critical hydrology that dictated movement through this arid environment. The map provides a look at the interplay between federally protected parklands and the surrounding topography.