1964 Map of Steep Creek Bench

About this map

Dixie National Forest defines the northern reaches of this landscape, where the high terrain of Steep Creek Bench transitions into a complex system of drainage and erosion. The map documents a period when access was primarily limited to primitive infrastructure, indicated by a network of Pack Trails and Jeep Trails that negotiate the broken canyon country. To the north, the elevation culminates at Impossible Peak, while the southern portion of the quadrangle reveals the dramatic formations of the Circle Cliffs. Evidence of early cattle or seasonal occupation appears at the Long Neck Cabin, positioned near the Long Neck ridge. The hydrology of the area is defined by intermittent flows through deep incisions like Cottonwood Canyon, Slickrock Canyon, and the winding path of The Gulch, illustrating the erosive forces that shaped the Long Bench and Rattlesnake Gulch.