2011 Map of Horseshoe Mountain

About this map

Horseshoe Mountain and Poison Mountain anchor this high-altitude landscape in Rio Grande County, defined by a complex network of seasonal drainages and named canyons. The terrain transitions from the open stretches of Horseshoe Park and Raton Park into steep-walled corridors like Warr Canyon, Pole Canyon, and Barriclause Canyon. This 2011 survey documents the intricate headwaters of the regional watershed, where the West Fork, Middle Fork, and East Fork San Francisco Creek converge. Human presence is marked primarily by forest service routes and historical tracks like Wagon Wheel Rd near Spring Branch. The mapping reveals a rugged interior where landmarks like Dry Lake Flats and Cedar Spring served as vital reference points for ranchers and early travelers navigating the backcountry between Pinos Creek and Bennett Creek.