1968 Map of Sooner Bench

About this map

Straight Cliffs and the rising plateau of Fiftymile Mountain dominate this remote desert landscape, surveyed in the late 1960s before the creation of the nearby national recreation area was fully realized. The map documents a network of primitive transportation, including a Jeep Trail and various pack trails that navigate the formidable terrain of Sooner Bench. Water sources were critical for navigation and survival in this arid environment, marked by isolated points such as Fortymile Spring, Soda Spring, and Tank Hollow Spring. Notable geological and landmark features like Dance Hall Rock and Blondie Knoll serve as orientation points amidst a series of erosional washes, including Fortymile Wash and Carcass Wash. This survey captures the region just as the proposed boundary for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area was being delineated, marking a transition toward federal land management.