1963 Map of Bancos Mesa

About this map

The San Juan River marks the northern boundary of this high-desert landscape as it flows through the rugged terrain along the Colorado and New Mexico border. This 1963 survey captures the complex topography of Rio Arriba Co before significant modern development, dominated by massive landforms like Bancos Mesa and the prominent Carracas Rim. The area is characterized by a series of deep drainages, including Bancos Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon, which carve through the Carson National Forest. Locally named landmarks such as Pecho de la Doncella and Eul Point provide insight into the Spanish and ranching heritage of the region. A network of unimproved roads and stock tanks like Horse Tank and Chavez Tank suggests a landscape utilized primarily for cattle grazing and natural resource management in the mid-20th century.