2014 Map of Whirlwind Draw

About this map

The San Juan River snakes through a deeply incised landscape in this remote corner of southern Utah, carving a path through the San Juan Valley and into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes, where the Red House Cliffs and the edge of the Red Rock Plateau overlook a network of seasonal drainages. Notable among these is the Whirlwind Draw, which lends its name to the area, and Steer Gulch. Human presence is sparse, marked primarily by the Whirlwind Crossing Rd, a track that provides access to this isolated desert corridor. This 2014 survey illustrates the complex topography of the canyonlands, highlighting natural water sources like Nancys Pool and the significant drainage of Oljeto Wash as they converge toward the river system.