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1953 Map of Laguna Peak

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Laguna Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Rio Chama and Rio Gallina carve deep through this high-desert plateau, where early 1950s surveying captures a landscape defined by traditional land use and distinct topographical boundaries. The map covers the meeting point of the Carson National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest, centered around the prominence of Laguna Peak. Evidence of early habitation is visible near the riverbanks, including Ruins and the Gallina Bench Ranch.

Later updates recorded in purple indicate the rise of the Abiquiu Reservoir along the eastern edge, showing the transition from river valley to managed waterway. The terrain is marked by numerous family-named mesas and canyons, such as Mesa Gurule and Cañada de Fuentes, alongside reliable water sources like Gallegos Spring and Los Indios Spring that supported livestock and small-scale ranching in the Rio Arriba backcountry.