2017 Map of Aurora

About this map

Villanueva and Gonzales Ranch anchor the northern reaches of this high-altitude landscape in San Miguel County, where the Pecos River valley terrain transitions into a complex system of mesas and canyons. The settlement of Aurora sits further south, surrounded by a network of seasonal watercourses such as Arroyo Guajalote and Arroyo Calaveras. This 2017 survey reveals a geography defined by its deep arroyos and prominent landforms, including Mesa Sacatosa and the heights of Pinos Altos. A portion of the Santa Fe National Forest extends into the northwest corner, protecting areas like La Mesa Corral de la Agua. The map documents a rural New Mexico landscape where traditional place names like Puerta de la Primera Agua and Cañon Juan Francisco persist alongside modern county road designations, reflecting a long history of land use and navigation through the arroyos.