1981 Map of Fuller Ranch

About this map

Lava flows dominate the northern half of this high-desert landscape on the border of Socorro and Sierra counties. This orthophotomap, based on aerial photography from the early 1970s, captures the stark interface between the volcanic terrain and the grazing lands of the Pedro Armendaris No 33 land grant. Human activity is defined by the vital necessity of water, evidenced by remote outposts like Fuller Ranch and several scattered water sources including Chavez Well and Malpais Well. The presence of a Jeep Trail suggests the difficulty of travel across this arid basin. Much of the southern portion of the sheet is occupied by the White Sands Missile Range, highlighting the transition from traditional ranching to restricted military use in this corner of New Mexico.