1987 Map of Steamboat Point

About this map

Giles (Site) sits along the northern reach of the Fremont River, marking a location of former habitation in this arid landscape. This 1987 provisional survey by the Geological Survey illustrates a geography of dramatic elevation shifts, where the Skyline Rim and the prominent Steamboat Point overlook the wide Blue River Valley. The terrain is defined by complex drainage systems such as Birch Creek and Town Wash, which carve through the Blue Valley Benches and the South Pinto Hills. Isolated water sources and seasonal drainages like Bert Avery Seep and Coaly Wash underscore the scarcity of water that dictated the movement and settlement patterns of this region. The map reveals the extensive network of unimproved roads and trails, including the Oak Creek Ridge route, that cross the high plateaus and descend toward the river valley.