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2018 Map of Sun Altar

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Sun Altar
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

First Mesa dominates the northwestern portion of this Navajo County landscape, where the high plateau topography drops sharply into the drainage systems of Polacca Wash and Keams Canyon Wash. The land is characterized by dramatic landforms such as Mots'ovi and the elevated expanse of Antelope Mesa to the east. Modern travel follows the corridor of Highway 264, which bisects the quadrangle as it moves across the high desert between mesas.

Evidence of traditional land use and environmental adaptation is visible in the placement of landmarks like Five Houses Butte and the remote Sacton Spring. The map documents a network of Bureau of Indian Affairs routes, including Bia 16 RD and Bia 23 RD, which connect the scattered points of interest such as Sun Altar and Gray Ridge. This modern survey provides a detailed look at the canyon systems, including Snowbird Canyon and Owl Box Canyon, illustrating the complex erosion patterns that define the local geography.