2023 Map of McWilliams Canyon

About this map

The Canadian River cuts through this high-altitude landscape where the Colorado-New Mexico state line meets the Las Animas and Colfax county borders. The terrain is defined by an intricate network of drainages named for early settlers and industrial uses, such as Joe Baker Canyon, Taber Morey Canyon, and Shingle Mill Canyon. These names suggest a history of localized timber work and ranching in a region where water sources like Sheep Spring Creek and Long Creek were vital for survival. Modern access is primarily represented by York Canyon Rd, which skirts the southern canyons. The many numbered features, including Number Five Canyon and Number Eight Canyon, reflect a systematic approach to land management and resource extraction in this corner of the Sangre de Cristo foothills.