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1963 Map of Comanche Point

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Comanche Point
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Sangre de Cristo mountains dominate this 1963 landscape within the Carson National Forest, showcasing a high-altitude wilderness defined by deep drainage systems like Fernandez Canyon and Powderhouse Canyon. Evidence of old-line resource extraction and mountain hospitality is scattered throughout the drainages, notably at the Midnight Mine and Anchor Mine near Bitter Creek. These mining sites sit south of the prominent Comanche Point, which overlooks the winding course of Costilla Creek.

The map reveals a network of seasonal camps and lodges including La Cueva Camp, Clayton Camp, and La Belle Lodge, suggesting the area's transition into a destination for recreation and forestry. To the southeast, the open expanse of Valle Vidal contrasts with the steep ascents toward Ortiz Peak. This survey provides a precise look at the jeep trails and mountain passes such as Lagunita Saddle that connected these remote high-country outposts before modern infrastructure reached the interior peaks.