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2023 Map of The Blocks

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of The Blocks
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The high plateau of Emery County defines this landscape, where natural formations like The Blocks and Secret Mesa rise above the drainage networks of the San Rafael Swell. Geologic landmarks are the defining characteristic of this area, evidenced by features such as Swaseys Arch, Obscure Arch, and the towering Locomotive Point at the Head of Sinbad. The intricate topography is carved by seasonal watercourses like Cane Wash and McCarty Canyon, while human intervention is visible in the isolated Reid-Neilson Reservoir to the southeast.

Water management and livestock history are hinted at through Reid Neilson Draw and the naming of Cactus Flats. This 2023 survey preserves the local nomenclature of the desert, from the descriptive Golden Gate to the curious Joe and His Dog. The map serves as a contemporary record of these features, noting the Ghost Rock Spr trail and the winding route of Horseshoe Bend near the quadrangle boundary.