1983 Map of Llaves

About this map

The high-desert terrain of northern New Mexico is defined here by the rugged boundaries of the Santa Fe National Forest and the winding course of the Rio Gallina. Small settlements like Llaves and Cañoncito anchor the southwestern corner of the quadrangle, where a local Landing Strip suggests the area's isolation and reliance on aerial access in the early 1980s. The landscape is a network of water-carved features, from the dramatic elevations of Gallina Peak and Dead Man Peak to the numerous seasonal drainages such as Arroyo Chupadero and Arroyo Archuleta. For those tracing the historical geography of Rio Arriba County, the map identifies specific water sources vital to this arid environment, including Alkali Spr, Mud Spring, and Cedar Spring, which likely served as critical landmarks for local ranchers and travelers long before this provisional survey was finalized.