2023 Map of Horse Mountain

About this map

The Animas Mountains dominate the western half of this southwestern New Mexico landscape, rising sharply above the Playas Valley to the east. This section of Hidalgo County is defined by its dramatic elevation changes, notably along the Cowboy Rim, where the terrain falls away toward ephemeral drainage systems. These seasonal waterways, including Cowboy Creek, Bluff Creek, and Tullous Creek, illustrate the complex hydrology of the high desert. Settlement is sparse in this borderlands region, with human activity primarily represented by rural transport routes like Timberlake Camp Rd and Co Rd C012. The map serves as a contemporary record of the land-use patterns in the Bootheel region, showing the intersection of mountain ranges and desert basins that have historically dictated ranching and movement throughout the area.