2010 Map of Maxson Crater

About this map

The Santa Fe Trl cuts across the northwest corner of this Mora County landscape, marking a historic corridor of movement through the high plains of New Mexico. The terrain is dominated by the volcanic and mountainous features of the Turkey Mountains, including the prominent Maxson Crater and Baldy Mountain. These geological landmarks rise above a network of seasonal drainage systems, such as Arroyo Tierra Blanca and Cottonwood Creek, which converge near Curry Canyon. A notable infrastructure element is the Horse Lake Dam, which regulates local water resources in an otherwise arid environment. The presence of the Cities Service 1 Fort Union site suggests industrial or resource extraction activity in the late 20th century, contrasting with the ancient volcanic topography and the legacy of early western migration trails.