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2023 Map of Cerro Brillante

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Cerro Brillante
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

West Malpais Wilderness anchors this remote Cibola County landscape, where volcanic topography and ancient migration corridors intersect. The map documents a significant stretch of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trl, which meanders past prominent landmarks including Cerro Colorada and the ephemeral Laguna Brillante. The terrain is defined by a series of volcanic features such as Cerro Lobo, Cerro Piedrita, and the namesake Cerro Brillante in the south.

Transportation through this high-desert environment is largely limited to the Chain Of Craters Backcountry Byway Trl and Co Rd 42. These routes navigate the complex elevations surrounding Chato Flat and Cerro Chato, providing access to the rugged interior of the El Malpais region. The lack of modern development emphasizes the area's role as a protected wilderness and a vital segment of the Continental Divide.