1885 Map of Uinta

About this map

Uinta Mountains peaks and high plateaus dominate this 1885 reconnaissance survey, which documents the northeastern Utah wilderness before modern development. The map follows the hydrology of the High Uintas, tracing the headwaters of the Bear River as it flows north and the Duchesne River drainage as it descends toward the Uinta Valley. These early King and Powell surveys captured the region when it was largely defined by topographic landmarks like Gilbert Peak and Mt Agassiz rather than established towns. The lack of roads or settlements emphasizes the era of pure exploration, where the Utah Boundary Line and natural features like Rhodes Plateau were the primary points of reference for geologists and early cartographers.