Loading map...

2020 Map of Loco Mountain

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Loco Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Gila National Forest encompasses this high-altitude landscape in Catron County, defined by a complex network of canyons and mesas typical of the Mogollon plateau. Loco Mtn serves as a central landmark, surrounded by landforms with evocative names like Aeroplane Mesa, Clayton Mesa, and Iron Creek Mesa. The presence of numerous livestock tanks, such as Snow Canyon Tank and Fresno Tank, alongside isolated water sources like Clayton Spring, highlights the historical reliance on water management for ranching in this arid environment.

The map reveals a rugged backcountry accessible via Loco Mountain Rd and various Forest Service routes. Drainage systems like Gilita Cr and the Middle Fork Gila River cut deep through the terrain, creating sharp relief against features like T Bar Ridge and Gilita Ridge. This 2020 survey provides a look at the modern topography of a region where the names of canyons, including Seven HL Canyon and Moonshine Canyon, hint at its frontier history.