1971 Map of Beaver Canyon

About this map

The Canadian River carves a deep, winding path through the high plains along the border of Mora and Harding counties. This remote landscape is defined by an intricate network of drainage systems, including Beaver Canyon and Cañon Blanco, which feed into the primary river valley. Access during this era was limited to a complex system of Jeep Trails that traverse the high mesas and descend into the canyons. At the southern end of the sheet, the river performs a dramatic maneuver at Upper Horseshoe Bend, highlighting the erosive power of the water against the local geology. Evidence of early settlement and the isolation of the area is found in the small Cem located near a sharp bend in the river, as well as several gravesites scattered along the rugged canyon floors such as Cañon Whitman and Cañon Los Paises.