2020 Map of Los Pilares

About this map

El Malpais National Monument dominates this portion of Cibola County, where volcanic geology and high-desert terrain meet. The survey reveals a landscape shaped by ancient flows, featuring the Spatter Cones and the Little Narrows along the western edge. Small settlements such as La Vieja and Los Pilares are situated near the junction of El Malpais Road and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which traverses the center of the quadrangle. High mesas and deep erosional features define the eastern half, specifically Mesa Negra and the expansive North Cebollita Mesa. These landforms, along with the Sandstone Bluffs Arch, illustrate the dramatic intersection of sandstone escarpments and basalt fields. The presence of Deer Spring and the Ranger Station suggests the vital, albeit sparse, infrastructure supporting this protected wilderness and its primary drainage, Cebollita Cr.