2017 Map of Mesa Portales

About this map

Santa Fe National Forest encompasses the northeastern portion of this Sandoval County landscape, defined by high plateaus and a network of ephemeral watercourses. The prominent namesake Mesa Portales rises in the south, while other significant landforms like Mesa Chijuilla and Mesa de Cuba dominate the northern horizons. This area is a critical corridor for the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which winds through the terrain from north to south, passing near the San Isidro Valley. The map records numerous vital water sources essential for life in this arid environment, including Smoky Spring, Moreno Spring, and Ojo de Gutierrez. These springs and arroyos, such as Arroyo Chijuillita and Kinaid Arroyo, trace the drainage patterns that have shaped the local topography and settlement history.