2020 Map of Bell Ranch

About this map

Bell Ranch serves as the namesake and primary human footprint in this expansive portion of San Miguel County, located along the winding course of La Cinta Creek. The landscape is dominated by high-desert landforms, most notably the prominent Huerfano Mesa in the north and the nearby Bell Mtn. The drainage network is intricately mapped, showing several ephemeral watercourses including Seco Cr, Muertos Cr, and Bueyeros Cr that carve through the arid terrain. Man-made water management features are critical to this ranching environment, with several dispersed cattle tanks such as Huerfano Tank, Red Tank, and West Bronc Tank supporting the livestock industry. The map's layout highlights the isolation of this corner of New Mexico, where land use is dictated by the availability of water and the natural barriers of the mesas.