1988 Map of The Loop

About this map

The Colorado River carves a massive, symmetrical oxbow known as The Loop at the northern edge of this 1980s provisional study. Situated within the heart of Canyonlands National Park, the landscape is defined by extreme geologic formations such as the parallel fractures of The Grabens and the intricate spires of The Needles. In the southeast, human presence is centered around the Ranger Station and Squaw Flat Campground, connected by a network of unimproved roads and four-wheel-drive trails including the route over Elephant Hill. The map identifies numerous springs and distinctive landmarks like the Wooden Shoe formation and Squaw Butte, reflecting the desert's reliance on scarce water sources like Soda Spring and Cave Spring. Narrow passages like Devils Lane and Devils Pocket hint at the difficult passage through this labyrinthine section of San Juan County.