2023 Map of Loco Mountain

About this map

Gila National Forest and the protected Gila Wilderness dominate this high-altitude landscape in Catron County. The terrain is defined by a series of mesas and ridges, most notably Loco Mtn and Aeroplane Mesa, which separate deep drainages such as Pitchfork Canyon and Hay Canyon. Water management is central to the area's geography, evidenced by numerous named tanks like Elladene Tank and Doubtful Tank scattered across the high ground to support livestock or wildlife. Snow Lake serves as a prominent water feature near Gilita Ridge, where the headwaters of the Middle Fork Gilita River begin their descent. A network of primitive trails, including the Aeroplane Mesa Trl and Moonshine Canyon Trl, provides the only access into the more secluded wilderness areas south of Loco Mountain Rd.