1972 Map of Johnson Canyon

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves a deep path through this corner of Las Animas County, shaping a complex network of branching canyons and high plateaus. The landscape is defined by its water sources, where the presence of the Garfield Windmill, Round Corral Windmill, and several other isolated water stations suggests a ranching economy reliant on carefully managed groundwater. Human activity is sparse and specialized, marked by the Hudson area and a remote Landing Strip, providing essential access points in a region dominated by topographic barriers. Navigation follows the natural lines of the drainage systems, such as Chacuaco Canyon and Purgatoire Canyon, where established Jeep Trails and unnamed Trails provide the only passage through the steep terrain. This 1970s survey captures the region before modern developments, showing the reliance on springs like Barriet Spring and Jones Spring for survival in the high canyon country.