1963 Map of Cerro De La Olla

About this map

Cerro De La Olla dominates the high desert landscape of Taos County in this early 1960s topographic study. The massive shield volcano is the defining geological feature of the quadrangle, surrounded by the drainage patterns of Arroyo Punche and dotted with local landmarks like Cerro Negro. For local history researchers, the map identifies the isolated McGregor Place and a lonely Well at the base of the mountain, providing a specific record of land use in this arid region. The presence of a Jeep Trail winding near the volcanic slopes reflects the era's limited infrastructure and the reliance on rugged transport for ranching or surveying work in the high Taos plateau before significant modernization changed the character of the back-country access.