2023 Map of Haystack Mountain

About this map

Haystack Mountain and Railroad Mountain dominate this high-desert landscape in Chaves County, where dry drainage networks and isolated water sources define the terrain. The map traces the winding course of Sixmile Draw and Sand Creek, highlighting the critical nature of water in this arid environment through features like Leslie Spring and the ephemeral Samples Lake. The rectilinear grid of the Public Land Survey System is overlaid by a sparse network of county roads including Dunken Rd and Olive Rd, which provide access to this open range. This 2023 edition uses modern survey data to preserve the names of geographic landmarks and grazing-era infrastructure, offering a clear view of how topographic elevations and intermittent water features continue to shape land use and navigation in this section of New Mexico.