2023 Map of Cowles

About this map

Pecos River headwaters dominate this high-altitude landscape within the Santa Fe National Forest and Pecos Wilderness. The settlement of Cowles serves as a central point for a dense network of mountain trails, including the Winsor Ridge Trl and Jacks Creek Trl, which connect high-alpine features like Lake Johnson, Lake Katherine, and Spirit Lake. The presence of the Pecos Mine Cem south of Holy Ghost indicates the area's history of mineral extraction, contrasting with the preservation focus of the Pecos Wild and Scenic River corridor. The geography is defined by significant elevations such as Redondo Peak and Grass Mtn, with numerous drainages like Panchuela Creek and Carpenter Creek feeding into the main river system. This terrain shows the modern intersection of recreational trail development and historical industrial markers in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.