2020 Map of Atencio

About this map

Atencio sits at the base of a high plateau in northeastern New Mexico, where the plains give way to a deeply incised landscape of mesas and drainages. The topography is defined by the winding course of Carrizozo Creek, which flows past the prominent Piñon Ridge. This 2020 survey illustrates a sparsely populated ranching environment where movement is dictated by the natural breaks in the terrain. A network of named canyons, including Rodriguez Canyon, Carl Canyon, and Trujillo Canyon, carved into the earth by seasonal runoff, reveal the geographic constraints on local settlement. These landforms, along with routes like Cuates Rd and Co Rd B044, show the persistent relationship between the high desert environment and the human infrastructure required to navigate this portion of Union County.