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1972 Map of Doss Canyon North

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Doss Canyon North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves a deep, winding path through this corner of Las Animas County, serving as the dominant geographic force in a landscape defined by dramatic erosion. In the early 1970s, this area remained largely undeveloped, characterized by a complex network of drainage systems including Lockwood Canyon and Doss Canyon. The small settlement of Waller sits on the eastern plateau, providing a rare point of human habitation in a region primarily navigated by a Jeep Trail and a remote Landing Strip.

Canyon walls are punctuated by numerous side-draws such as Alejandro Canyon, Dead Horse Canyon, and Little Pine Canyon. These features illustrate the intricate hydrology of the high plains, where ephemeral water sources like Lockwood Arroyo eventually feed into the main river channel. The presence of a Ford indicates the specific locations where the Purgatoire was crossable by vehicle or horse at the time of the survey.