2020 Map of Elk

About this map

Rio Peñasco flows through the center of this terrain, following a corridor that defines the small settlement of Elk. This portion of the Sacramento Mountains is characterized by an intricate network of deep drainages, including Agua Chiquita Canyon and Graveyard Canyon, where the Elk Cem is situated near Paul Springs. Much of the land is managed as part of the Lincoln National Forest, where the topography rises toward Wind Mtn in the north. The map reveals a landscape shaped by water management in a dry climate, evidenced by the series of livestock tanks like Mathews Tank Number 1 and Mathews Tank Number 2. These features, along with names like Sixteen Springs Canyon, suggest the vital importance of scattered water sources for ranching and forest operations in this New Mexico high country.