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2021 Map of Smith Mesa

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Smith Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

Prescott National Forest dominates this section of the Arizona uplands, where a network of plateaus and deep canyons defines the landscape. Large, flat-topped features like Smith Mesa and Sycamore Mesa are bounded by sharp escarpments such as the Sycamore Rim. This area is characterized by its vital water sources, with numerous springs and tanks supporting the livestock and wildlife of the region, including Jenkins Trap Spring, Willow Spring, and the Sheridan Tank.

Settlement patterns are sparse, represented by locations such as Fair Oaks and the namesake Fair Oaks RD. A complex system of pack trails and forest roads, like the Tailholt Mesa Trl and Anderson Trl, connects these remote points across the rugged topography. The presence of the Cedar Salt Ground and various "tanks" like Walker Tank reflects the long-standing ranching heritage of Yavapai County, where water management is the key to land use.