1995 Map of Cerro Parido

About this map

The high desert landscape of the McKinley and Sandoval County line is defined by a series of isolated ranches and rugged volcanic topography. Scattered habitations like the Sandoval Ranch, Joe Montoya Ranch, and Ernest Montoya Ranch suggest a persistent ranching tradition in this arid corridor. The terrain is marked by prominent elevations such as Cerro Parido and the expansive Mesa Chivato, which transitions into the protected timberlands of the Cibola National Forest. Water, a critical resource for these upland operations, is managed through a system of improved tanks and natural springs, including Seco Tank, Laguna Blanca, and Ojo Azabache. Historically, the presence of the Ignacio Chavez Grant underscores the complex land tenure of the region, where large Spanish and Mexican land grants intersect with federal forest lands and private ranching interests.