2013 Map of Black Mountain

About this map

Gila National Forest encompasses this high-altitude landscape in Catron County, where a network of remote canyons and water tanks supports the high desert ecosystem. The central landmark, Black Mountain Mesa, rises above the surrounding terrain, capped by the Black Mountain Lookout which provides a strategic vantage over the wilderness. This 2013 survey illustrates a landscape primarily defined by water management and drainage, with numerous stock ponds such as Buckhorn Tank, Armijo Tank, and Jordán Tank scattered between deep incisions like Cooney Canyon and Wolf Hollow Canyon. Transportation is limited to a few primitive routes, most notably Loco Mountain Rd, and the isolated Beaverhead Airstrip on the eastern edge. The topography reveals a complex system of ridges and seasonal water sources, including Black Spring, essential for the region's ranching and forestry operations.