Blog Post

Time Traveler Maps publishes new map commemorating John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition down the Colorado River

Time Traveler Maps has recently published our most ambitious thematic map and book of the last twenty years. The epic John Wesley Powell 1869 Colorado River Exploring Expedition is the subject of this most exciting project. If you are a fan of the Grand Canyon, a river rat, or a dreamer of epic adventures, you will find this new book and map a great addition for  your trip to the Grand Canyon or your library.

You can see more at www.timetravelermaps.com and if you subscribe to our newsletter you will receive a 10% discount on your first order. (discount code POWELL). The Powell map, ISBN 978-0-692-15140-2 retails for $19.95 and the unfolded wall map on heavy stock sells for $25.

We have completed the most creative rendition of Powell’s 1869 expedition ever  published. Glen Hopkinson, one of the country’s top historical illustrators, has painted brilliant vignettes capturing scenes from the expedition. There was no photographer on this journey, so images were created based on first hand journals and reports.

Grand Canyon photographer, Adam Schallau added the cover photo and a large interior canyon image and our wonderful designers at Athena Communications in Durango help to produce this most attractive package. Joy Martin, a most talented Durango writer, added the text that gives a new and refreshing view of this classic American adventure.

Our cartographer, Mark Stroud of Moon Street Cartography has once again created a stunning shaded relief map of the expedition’s route from Green River, Wyoming down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon. Powell and his crew were on the river for 99 days and covered almost 1000 miles.

Finally, this project wouldn’t have been possible without the journals of JWP and his crew. We used these first-person accounts to construct a comprehensive timeline of the journey and as expected not everyone was having a great time!

Get your copy here.


Map interior showing Glen Hopkinson’s beautifully illustrated scenes and timeline of historic events

Illustrated timeline of events as they happened on the Colorado River Expedition

Map of the Colorado River with facts and place markers for historic events

Detailed information on the flora, fauna and instruments used on the historic trip plus geologic information on the Grand Canyon

Cover of the latest map from Time Traveler Maps
John Wesley Powell’s 1869 Colorado River Exploring Expedition, Illustrated Map and Adventure Anthology