2014 Map of Smith Mesa

About this map

Zion National Park occupies the northern reaches of this Washington County landscape, where the Lower Kolob Plateau meets the sheer verticality of the Hurricane Cliffs. The geography is defined by high tablelands and the drainage networks of La Verkin Cr and Dry Cr. Centrally located, Smith Mesa dominates the terrain, accessible by the winding path of Mesa Rd. This 2014 survey reveals the complex drainage patterns feeding into the Virgin River system, including Black Wash and N Cr at the southern edge. Researchers will find interest in localized water sources such as Rock Spring and Lamareaux Tank, which historically supported livestock and early passage through this arid environment. The transition from Cave Valley to the prominent Hurricane Mesa illustrates the dramatic uplift and erosion characteristic of the Colorado Plateau's western margin.