Loading map...

1963 Map of Elk Mountain

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Elk Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Elk Mountain dominates the southern reaches of this high-altitude landscape, situated along the county line between Mora and San Miguel counties. Established within the Santa Fe National Forest, the terrain is defined by a dense network of high ridges and deep drainages, including Hamilton Mesa and the expansive Mora Flats. The 1963 field survey illustrates a wilderness primarily accessible by a system of pack trails that connect high points like Spring Mountain to the valleys below.

Water serves as the primary surveyor of the land here, with the Pecos River and Rio Mora carving through the northwest. Small alpine features like Lost Lake and a lone Mine near the headwaters of Hollinger Creek suggest a history of localized exploration and recreation. The nomenclature of the canyons and creeks, from Valle Medio to Bear Creek, reflects the enduring Spanish and local influences on this high-mountain environment.