2023 Map of Thistle

About this map

Thistle sits at a critical junction in Spanish Fork Canyon, where the Rio Grande railroad line follows the course of Soldier Creek through a landscape of deep canyons and high ridges. The area is defined by its transition between the Uinta National Forest to the north and the Manti-La Sal National Forest to the south. This modern survey reflects the complex drainage systems of the region, marked by numerous named springs such as Sky High Spring and Buggy Wheel Spring, which feed into the Lake Fork and its various tributaries. The terrain is notably etched by erosion, featuring landmarks like The Red Narrows and Coffeepot Ridge. While industrial footprints are few, the Thistle Substation and Smiths Reservoir indicate the ongoing human management of resources in this mountainous Utah corridor. Old trails like the Dipping Pen Trl and Sky High Trl provide a look at the historical routes used to navigate these high-elevation valleys.