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2013 Map of Horsehead Canyon

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Horsehead Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Rio Pescado and the Zuni River converge in the northwestern corner of this territory, marking a significant hydrologic junction where the Rio Nutria also joins the drainage system. The landscape is defined by deep incisions and high-desert formations, including the prominent Horsehead Canyon which runs centrally through the quadrangle. This area of McKinley County is characterized by significant topographic landmarks that likely served as long-standing navigational aids, such as the distinctively named Feather Rock, Pierced Rock, and Two Grey Hills.

Modern infrastructure follows ancient natural corridors, with NM-53 and NM-36 intersecting near the canyon mouth. The presence of Coal Mine Canyon in the northeast and southeast suggests the geologic potential that has historically driven regional exploration. Extensive canyon systems like Cheama Canyon and Knife Hill Canyon reveal a complex network of dry washes and high mesas, while routes like Indian Service Route 50 and Nutria Rd provide access to the tribal lands and remote reaches of the basin.