2013 Map of Cerro Tinaja

About this map

Cibola National Forest lands dominate this high-desert landscape in Sandoval County, where the topography is defined by dramatic mesas and canyon systems. The settlement pattern consists primarily of isolated homesteads and ranching outposts, including Sanchez Ranch and Gonzales Ranch, which are situated amidst complex landforms like Mesita de la Ventana and Mesita Leon. Water sources were critical to these remote operations, as evidenced by the marking of Juan Jose Viejo Spring and Jaralosa Spring. The terrain transitions from the towering heights of Black Mesa to the intricate drainages of Badlands Canyon and Jaramosa Canyon. Significant peaks such as Cerro Tinaja and the distinctively named Cerro de Nuestra Señora serve as prominent landmarks in a region where the natural geology dictated the possibilities for human habitation and cattle ranching.