2013 Map of La Garita

About this map

La Garita serves as the focal point for this Saguache County landscape, where the San Luis Valley meets the rising terrain to the west. The area is defined by an intricate network of irrigation infrastructure essential for high-altitude agriculture, including the prominent Rio Grande Canal and the Farmers-Union-Canal. Water management is further evidenced by the McCormick Number 1 Reservoir and several laterals like the Rio Grande Lateral Number 5A that distribute water across the valley floor. Natural drainages such as Mogotas Arroyo, Carnero Cr, and La Garita Cr cut through the sections, reflecting the natural hydrology that shaped early settlement patterns. A geometric grid of rural routes, including the strikingly named Gunbarrel Rd, underscores the systematic land division and accessibility of this agricultural region in the early 21st century.