1963 Map of Cerro Pelon

About this map

San Lucas sits in the northwest corner of this 1963 survey, a high-desert landscape defined by complex drainage patterns and dramatic relief. The area was mapped using 1958 aerial photography, showing the transition from the flat tablelands to the deeply incised San Miguel Canyon. Water resources in this arid environment are sparse but critical, marked by features such as CCC Spring, which points to Depression-era infrastructure projects carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This map captures the topography of the Cibola National Forest before modern development, preserving the locations of springs and canyons that have long served as landmarks for cattle ranching and local land management in this part of New Mexico.