1954 Map of Stinking Spring Creek 2 SW

About this map

The San Rafael Swell dominates this mid-century topographic study, revealing the complex erosion patterns and deep drainages of the Emery County landscape. This preliminary edition, derived from early 1950s aerial photography, provides a high-resolution look at the geographic transition between elevated plateaus and the canyon floors. Notable landmarks like Secret Mesa stand as isolated remnants of the surrounding terrain, while water-carved features such as Eagle Canyon and Kimball Draw illustrate the primary drainage routes through the uplift. The map also identifies local grazing or transit points like Justensen Flats, which alongside Swell Canyon, hint at the sparse but persistent human presence in this high-altitude desert environment. Every contour line here represents the primitive state of the region before significant modern infrastructure altered the more remote reaches of the San Rafael interior.