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2017 Map of Sandy Creek Benches

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Sandy Creek Benches
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Capitol Reef National Park dominates the southwestern corner of this landscape, where the dramatic Water Pocket Fold creates a sharp geological boundary. This 2017 survey reveals a remote high-desert environment characterized by deep drainage systems like Sheets Gulch and Red Canyon that carve through the sedimentary layers of Cedar Mesa and Wildcat Mesa.

Human activity is concentrated along the Notom Rd, which traces the eastern flank of the fold, providing access to isolated outposts like Sandy Ranch. The map captures the complex erosional features of the Sandy Creek Benches and the seasonal hydrology of Sandy Creek, showing how the historical routes from Moab to Boulder Town navigated the steep relief of Divide Canyon and the winding passage known as the Elbow of the Sandy.