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1981 Map of Indian Peaks West

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

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Gila National Forest dominates this high-altitude landscape in New Mexico’s Catron County, where deep drainages like Railroad Canyon and Whiskey Canyon carve through the terrain south of the Indian Peaks. The map reflects a remote ranching and forest management environment in the early 1980s, defined by an extensive network of water tanks and windmills essential for livestock and wildlife. Features such as the Garcia Windmill and Railroad Canyon Windmill signify the importance of reliable water sources in this arid region.

Local history and land use are evident in the naming of features like Last Chance Canyon and the presence of a solitary Grave located between Mule and Bear Canyon. Industrial activity is minimal, represented only by a Gravel Pit in the northwest, while the numerous stock tanks, including Long Day Tank and Last Chance Tank, illustrate the distributed nature of human impact across these forest lands.