2013 Map of Massacre Peak

About this map

Massacre Peak and the high elevations of the Cookes Range dominate this corner of the Chihuahuan Desert. The landscape is defined by its arid geography and historical transit corridors, most notably the Butterfield Trl crossing through the Pony Hills. These features represent a vital link in the 19th-century westward expansion, where reliable water sources were essential for survival. Rare desert water points such as Cookes Spring, Fryingpan Spring, and Puma Spring are clearly marked, providing context for the location of the Ft Cummings Cem and the nearby Fort Cummings Draw. To the south, Fluorite Ridge rises above China Draw, while the northern terrain is broken by the steep incisions of Rattlesnake Canyon and Starvation Draw. This topography illustrates the challenging environment navigated by early travelers along the southern stagecoach routes.