Introduction

This geologic map is a product of a cooperative project between the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, and the Kaibab-Paiute Indian Tribe to provide a uniform quality geologic database for this part of the Uinkaret Plateau of the Arizona Strip north of Grand Canyon National Park and west of Fredonia, Arizona. The geologic data will be useful for future geologic, biologic, and hydrologic resource studies of this area conducted by the National Park Service, the Kaibab-Paiute Tribe, the citizens of Moccasin, Arizona, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the State of Arizona, local private ranching organizations, and individuals.

Sandy Canyon Wash, Bitter Seeps Wash, and Bulrush Wash are the principal drainages in the map area that flow south into Kanab Creek, the principal drainage of this region that flows south toward the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Moccasin Mountain and Moquith Mountain (Moki Mountain on old maps) form highland plateaus west and north of Moccasin and Kaibab, Arizona. The Vermilion Cliffs are a prominent topographic expression of the landscape that marks the southern and eastern edges of Moccasin and Moquith Mountains. The north edge of the map area abuts the Utah/Arizona State line. Access to the map area is by Arizona State Highway 389 and a short paved road to Pipe Spring National Monument and the towns of Kaibab and Moccasin, Arizona. Several unimproved dirt roads lead from these paved roads to various locations within the map area, but travel on some of these roads requires 4-wheel-drive vehicles. Extra food and water are highly recommended for travelers to this remote area.

The Kaibab-Paiute Tribe manages the reservation lands that encompass most of the map area. Visitors to the Kaibab-Paiute Indian Reservation are required to obtain a permit and permission from the Tribal Offices at the junction of Highway 389 and the road to Pipe Spring National Monument. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona Strip Field Office in St. George, Utah, manages BLM lands west and south of the Kaibab-Paiute Indian Reservation area. Part of the BLM Cottonwood Point Wilderness area is included in the northwest corner of the map. There are 22 sections of land belonging to the State of Arizona and 26 sections of private ranch land, which includes the town of Moccasin, Arizona. Elevations range from about 4,265 ft at Bulrush Wash in the southeast corner of the map area to about 7,042 ft on Moquith Mountain, northeast edge of map area. Elevations below 5,000 ft generally support a sparse growth of sagebrush, cactus, grass, and various high-desert shrubs. Elevations above 5,000 ft commonly support moderate to thick growths of sagebrush and grass in alluvial valleys, while pinion pine, juniper, and oak trees thrive on Moccasin and Moquith Mountains. Salt cedar (tamarisk) and Russian olive trees grow along the banks of local tributary washes east of Kaibab and Moccasin, Arizona.