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1983 Map of The Blocks

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of The Blocks
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Head of Sinbad and the high desert plateaus of central Utah define this landscape as it was documented in the mid-1970s. The area is characterized by a complex network of canyons and washes, most notably McCarty Canyon, Cane Wash, and the various forks of Coal Wash. Named for its distinct geological formations, the sheet features landmarks such as The Blocks, Devils Monument, and the whimsical Joe and His Dog. These names, along with The Twin Priests and Golden Gate, reflect the interpretive history of those who first navigated this terrain.

Evidence of local land use and hydrology is visible in the presence of the Reid Neilson Reservoir and several drill holes. A winding Jeep Trail provides the primary transit route through the desert, leading toward notable sites like the Devils Racetrack and Locomotive Point. The map serves as a record of a remote region where water sources like Coal Spring were vital for the seasonal livestock operations indicated by the Reid Neilson Draw.