2013 Map of Cottonwood Canyon

About this map

Cibola National Forest encompasses the high country of the Zuni Mountains on this 2013 survey of the New Mexico interior. The Continental Divide traverses the western portion of the quadrangle, serving as the hydrological spine between the dramatic depths of Cottonwood Canyon and the surrounding high valleys. The landscape is defined by its water management history, evidenced by numerous named catchment features such as Bill Morgan Tank and Corral Tanks One and Two, which supported cattle operations in this arid environment. Settlement is concentrated at historic family sites, including Irvin Ranch, Bass Ranch, and Coddington Ranch, located near vital water sources like Twin Springs. The terrain transitions from the sheer Lookout Mountain Rim to the carved drainages of Peavine Canyon and Monighan Canyon, illustrating the complex geological erosion patterns characteristic of the McKinley and Cibola County border region.