2021 Map of Sun Altar

About this map

First Mesa dominates the western edge of this High Plateau landscape, where traditional settlement patterns follow the high ground and drainages of Navajo County. The terrain is defined by a series of prominent mesas and buttes, including the namesake Sun Altar and Five Houses Butte, which rise above the surrounding desert floor. This 2021 survey illustrates a region where water management and natural hydrology are central to life, evidenced by a network of seasonal washes like Polacca Wash and Keams Canyon Wash. The presence of Sactone Spring on the slopes of Antelope Mesa highlights the critical importance of isolated water sources in this arid environment. Transportation through the area relies on established routes such as Indian Rte 60 and BIA 16 Rd, which negotiate the complex topography of canyons and ridges like Gray Ridge.