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1985 Map of Chisos Mountains

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Chisos Mountains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1993
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1993

About this map

The Chisos Mountains rise as a high-altitude island within the vast arid reaches of Big Bend National Park, marking a dramatic shift in the West Texas landscape. This mid-1980s compilation shows the intricate topography of the high peaks, including Emory Peak, Casa Grande, and Toll Mountain, while tracing the winding course of the Rio Grande (also labeled Rio Bravo) as it carves through Mesa de Anguila. The map captures a moment when mercury mining history was still visible at the Mariscal Mine and the mercury-mining settlements of Terlingua and Study Butte were evolving into the regional hubs they are today.

Downstream, the terrain transitions into the jagged ridges of the Sierra del Carmen and the Sierra del Caballo Muerto. The presence of Castolon and the Park Headquarters illustrates the administrative and historical anchor points of the park, while the surrounding desert floor is crisscrossed by ephemeral drainages like Terlingua Creek and Tornillo Creek, defining the rugged connectivity of the Big Bend region.