1978 Map of Cherry Canyon

About this map

Granada Santa Fe Trail cuts across the southern portion of this Las Animas County landscape, marking a historic corridor of movement through the high plains. The topography is defined by the deep incision of Cherry Canyon and its tributaries, including Snake Canyon and Smith Canyon, which drain into the broader Plum Valley to the south. The rugged drainage systems are punctuated by localized water sources such as Spring and Soldier Canyon, essential landmarks in an otherwise arid rangeland. Unlike many Western maps of this era that show significant ranching infrastructure, this sheet reveals a sparse settlement pattern, with only an occasional Well or isolated spring supporting the livestock operations that dominate the plateau. The land remains largely open, partitioned by section lines that guide the remote roads connecting the canyons to the valley floor.