1973 Map of Sunflower Butte

About this map

High desert mesas and significant drainage networks define this 1970s landscape within the Navajo Indian Reservation. The terrain is dominated by geological landmarks like the expansive Malpais Mesa and the prominent Sunflower Butte. These landforms provided natural navigational aids for pastoral activities in Navajo County, as evidenced by the distribution of water sources across the arid environment. Vital water points such as Dalkai Spring, Ram Spring, and the Sunflower Butte Well supported local livestock and seasonal movement through the region. The map also traces the winding paths of the Pueblo Colorado Wash and Gleshbito Wash, which carve through the volcanic and sedimentary layers. Scattered human presence is indicated by modest improvements like the Corral and Paddock in the northwestern reaches, showing the persistence of traditional land use and grazing patterns in the Arizona high country.