2016 Map of La Mota Mountain

About this map

La Mota Mountain dominates this remote corner of Presidio County, anchoring a landscape of high desert landforms and seasonal drainages. The area is defined by the high, flat expanse of Tascotal Mesa to the north and the jagged descent into Lava Canyon to the southwest. Water sources, vital for cattle ranching and survival in this arid environment, are sparsely distributed but clearly identified at Alazan Spring, which sits at the base of the Alazan Hills. The map traces the historical movement through this terrain via the Papalote Encino Trail, a route that likely follows traditional paths between natural water and higher ground. The complex hydrology of the region is evident in the meandering courses of Terneros Creek and Navajo Cr, which carve through deep features like Old Ranch Canyon. Small-scale transport is represented by the presence of Sauledo Rd, showing how modern access interacts with traditional desert trails.