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1953 Map of Laguna Peak

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Laguna Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The Rio Chama carves a deep path through northern New Mexico in the early 1950s, defining a landscape dominated by massive plateaus and narrow canyons. This terrain is marked by the meeting of the Santa Fe National Forest and Carson National Forest, with the Chama Grant boundary tracing the rugged geography of the Cañon de Chama. Water sources like Gallegos Spring and Los Indios Spring appear as vital points of interest in this arid environment, often tucked away in drainages like Chavez Canyon or along the lower slopes of Mesa Laguna.

Cultural history is visible in the network of family-named landmarks and historical paths, such as the Camino del Mesa Trail and the Gallina Bench Ranch near the Rio Gallina. The nomenclature of the area, featuring names like Mesa Gurule and Mesa Corral, reflects the region's long history of livestock and ranching. From the heights of Laguna Peak to the canyon floor, the map documents a transition from forested uplands to the structured topography of Mesa de los Viejos.