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2023 Map of Bear Mountain

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Bear Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Bear Mtn and the Mule Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in Grant County, where the terrain is carved by a complex network of seasonal drainages. The central drainage of Buckhorn Creek and the winding course of Fivemile Creek reveal a landscape organized around water access, a necessity for the ranching operations that have long defined the area. Small-scale water management is evident in features like Mallet Pond, Lower Goat Canyon Tank, and Upper Goat Canyon Tank, which support cattle and wildlife in the arid valleys.

Evidence of established land use is found along the northern edge at the Jackson Ranch Cem, a significant marker for local family history and genealogy. The road network, including H-Y Ranch Rd and Moon Ranch Rd, provides access to the remote sections of Bear Valley and deep canyons like Henderson Canyon and Mud Spring Canyon. This survey documents a rugged corner of New Mexico where the geography remains defined by high peaks and the essential hunt for water.