1965 Map of El Paso Canyon

About this map

The Fort Bliss Military Reservation dominates the southern half of this landscape, its boundary cutting across the rugged canyons and ridges of Otero County. To the north, the terrain transitions into the Lincoln National Forest, where high elevations are marked by landmarks like Gulp Peak and the drainage of the Sacramento River. This mid-1960s survey captures a dry, high-altitude environment defined by complex water-management features, including the Rim Tank, Womack Tank, and Sombrero Tank, which are essential for livestock and wildlife in a region otherwise dominated by seasonal washes. A network of primitive transport routes, labeled as Jeep Trail, weaves through the steep drainages of El Paso Canyon and Wildcat Canyon, illustrating the remote nature of this military and forest land before significant modern development.