2017 Map of Curtis Camp

About this map

Curtis Camp sits at the head of a complex drainage network in this 2017 survey of the northern New Mexico high country. The landscape is defined by an intricate system of deep ravines and intermittent streams, where Crow Cr and its many tributaries carve through the plateau. The nomenclature of the terrain suggests a history of early ranching and resource extraction, with names like Rail Canyon, Coal Canyon, and Shotgun Canyon hinting at the practical concerns of those who first traversed these breaks. This modern digital survey by the U.S. Geological Survey provides a precise look at the topography surrounding Saltpeter Canyon and Five Dollar Canyon, where the elevation changes rapidly across the high mesas of Colfax County. The absence of paved roads or significant modern infrastructure emphasizes the remote and undisturbed character of this corner of the state.