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2016 Map of Big Hole Canyon

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Big Hole Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Comanche National Grassland dominates this portion of Baca County, where the high plains break into a network of steep-walled drainages. The landscape is defined by its water sources, including Regnier Spring, Big Hole Spring, and Major Spring, which were vital markers for early travelers and cattlemen in this arid environment. The terrain rises toward the south at Little Black Mesa, overlooking the complex junction of Tharp Canyon and Furnish Canyon.

A network of local routes like Co RD G and Co RD 8 provides access through these public lands, crossing the seasonal flow of N Carrizo Cr. The abundance of named springs such as Trujillo Spring and Hatfield Spring suggests the historical importance of these specific locations for survival and settlement in the southeastern corner of Colorado. The map traces the deep incisions of Whitby Canyon and Pat Canyon, illustrating the geological forces that have sculpted the grassland.