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1981 Map of Escondido Mountain

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Escondido Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Apache National Forest lands dominate this high-altitude landscape in Catron County, centered on the prominent Escondido Mountain. The topography is defined by a series of deep drainages including Cañon del Leon, Cañon del Macho, and El Caso Canyon, which together illustrate the complex watershed management of the region. Water remains a central theme for land use here, indicated by the numerous springs and artificial tanks like Escondido Tank and Fish Pond Tank that support local ranching and wildlife in an otherwise arid environment.

Evidence of historical movement and small-scale industry is found along the many pack trails and jeep roads that thread through the timber. Significant landmarks such as El Caso Peak and the high flats of Baca Mesa provide clear orientation for researchers. The presence of Quemado Lake and Gabaldon Lake in the southern portion of the quadrangle suggests the importance of these water bodies for both local recreation and resource storage during the early 1980s.