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1981 Map of Horse Mountain West

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

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Old Horse Springs and New Horse Springs serve as the primary landmarks in this high-elevation landscape of western Catron County. The terrain is defined by the heavy timber and high peaks of the Apache National Forest, specifically the Mangas Mountains and Horse Mountain. This region is characterized by a sparse but critical network of water sources, including White Springs and Alamocito Spring, which supported the livestock and small settlements of the area.

Water management is evident through the numerous named wells and tanks such as Armijo Well, Lebya Well, and Jack Tank, reflecting the arid environment's dependence on groundwater. To the east, Alamocito Creek and Alamocito Canyon carve through the landscape, while a remote Landing Strip north of the settlements provides a modern link to the outside world. The map also captures small, personal historical details like the Cem and Graves near the Horse Springs sites, offering vital clues for family historians tracing early New Mexico ranching life.