1982 Map of Hilo Peak

About this map

Hilo Peak stands as the central landmark in this southwestern corner of New Mexico, anchoring a landscape defined by the intersection of the Animas Mountains, the Chinaman Hills, and the Smuggler Hills. Surveyed in the late 1970s, this area is characterized by high-desert drainage patterns and strategic mountain gaps. The map reveals a network of intermittent waterways such as Walnut Creek, Brushy Creek, and Deer Creek, which are critical to understanding the hydrology and land use of this arid region. Human presence is marked primarily by ranching infrastructure, including Little Brushy Tank and South Tank, and the significant topographical breach at Granite Pass. The lack of dense settlement in this 1982 edition highlights the isolated, range-focused character of Hidalgo County, where water sources and mountain passes determined the routes of early travel and modern land management.