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1980 Map of Smithsonian Butte

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Smithsonian Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Canaan Ranch sits near the base of the massive Vermilion Cliffs, anchoring a landscape where the high plateaus of southern Utah meet the Arizona border. The topography is dominated by the soaring heights of Canaan Mountain and the distinctive landmark of Smithsonian Butte to the north. These sandstone formations create natural barriers only breached by locations like Dutton Pass and the Canaan Gap.

Evidence of historical movement across this arid terrain is preserved in the form of a Pack Trail winding through the cliffs. Water sources are critical and specific here, with named points such as Sawmill Spring, Canaan Springs, and Still Spring providing necessary relief. Drainage systems like Gould Wash and Canaan Wash trace the erosional history of the Big Plain, while Big Plain Junction marks a key navigational point for travelers navigating the boundary between Washington and Mohave counties.