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1972 Map of Doss Canyon North

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Doss Canyon North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves a deep, winding path through this portion of Las Animas County, Colorado, defining a landscape dominated by dramatic canyon systems and high plateaus. This 1970s-era survey reveals a sparsely settled region where transportation is largely relegated to a Jeep Trail or unnamed Trail networks. Small outposts like Ford and Waller appear near the canyon rims, while a Landing Strip south of Taylor Arroyo suggests the necessity of aerial access in this isolated terrain.

Water management and drainage are central to the landscape, with features such as Lockwood Arroyo and George Canyon feeding into the main river valley. The map also records several family-named or descriptive geographical features, including Alejandro Canyon, Dead Horse Canyon, and the prominent Doss Canyon. These names provide a window into the ranching and natural history of the Colorado high plains before late-century developments.