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1953 Map of Laguna Peak

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Laguna Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

Rio Chama carves a deep path through this corner of New Mexico, defining the boundary between the Carson National Forest and the Santa Fe National Forest. The landscape is dominated by high plateaus and narrow canyons, including Mesa de los Viejos and Mesa Laguna, punctuated by vital water sources like Gallegos Spring and Los Indios Spring. Evidence of human activity is concentrated along the river valleys, where the Chama Grant Ditch and Gallina Bench Ranch signify a reliance on irrigation and ranching in this arid environment.

The map reveals a network of canyons named for early families and topographical features, such as Cañada de Gurule and Cañada Schmidt. These names, alongside the presence of Ruins near the confluence of Rio Gallina and the larger river, offer a glimpse into the long history of occupation and transit through these high-altitude mesas. The terrain is traversed primarily by a Jeep Trail, highlighting the persistence of traditional land use and the limited modern infrastructure in the mid-20th century.