2020 Map of Aspen Basin

About this map

The high-elevation wilderness of the Santa Fe National Forest dominates this topographic study, where the peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains define the local hydrology. Rising to prominent summits like Santa Fe Baldy and Tesuque Peak, the terrain gives way to deep alpine basins that feed an intricate network of waterways, including the Rio Nambe and the headwaters of the Santa Fe River. The map details a complex system of primitive trails such as the Windsor and Sky Line, which navigate through steep relief to reach remote high-altitude bodies of water like Lake Katherine and Nambe Lake. This 2020 landscape reveals the enduring character of northern New Mexico's protected lands, showing how trails like the Borrego and Chamisa provide access to the Aspen Basin and the lower reaches of Pacheco Canyon and Cañada Vaca.