2017 Map of Carracas Canyon

About this map

Carracas serves as the primary point of settlement in this high-desert landscape of Rio Arriba County, where the topography is defined by a dense network of canyons and mesas within the Carson National Forest. The map documents a rugged drainage system where Carracas Canyon and Frijoles Canyon cut deep paths through the terrain, flanked by significant elevations like Frijoles Peak and American Mesa. These geological features influenced the placement of early infrastructure and ranching outposts, evidenced by names like Carracas Mesa and Estufa Ridge.