1961 Map of Huerfano Hill

About this map

Alamosa River and Monticello Canyon River carve through the high arid landscape of Sierra County, defining a region where water management dictated survival. This early 1960s survey highlights a network of vital livestock and community water sources, including the Cuchillo Community Allotment Res, MN Chavez Res No 1, and several family-named tanks like Huerfano Tank and Downs Tank. The topography is marked by significant elevation changes, from the heights of Sierras Mediano and Huerfano Hill down to the Lower Narrows. While the settlement of Samora sits near the Samora Draw in the southwest, much of the area is defined by remote ranching infrastructure. Researchers will find a detailed look at the era's rural transport, from the Monticello Point Road to numerous unnamed jeep trails and the Martin Ranch Road, illustrating how these canyons were navigated before modern development.