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1955 Map of Llaves

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Llaves
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The Continental Divide snakes through this high-altitude landscape of Rio Arriba County, defining a complex network of canyons and plateaus. Much of the eastern portion lies within the Santa Fe National Forest, where prominent summits like Gallina Peak and Dead Mans Peak rise above the drainage of the Rio Gallina. The settlement at Llaves serves as a small hub amidst a rugged terrain characterized by numerous ephemeral springs and lagoons, including Laguna Colorado and Mud Spring.

Evidence of ranching and early industry is scattered throughout the region, from family operations like Syphers Ranch and Collins Ranch to the isolated Kern Mine. Along the western edge, the map documents the boundary of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation. The mapping of dozens of drainage features, such as Arroyo Blanco and Cañada Jesus Moya, illustrates the intricate watershed patterns that dictated local travel and settlement in the mid-1950s.