2023 Map of Middle Mesa

About this map

Aldo Leopold Wilderness and the Gila Wilderness converge in this high-elevation corner of the Gila National Forest, where the border between Catron and Grant counties cuts across rugged plateaus. The landscape is defined by the massive drainage systems of Black Canyon and North Star Canyon, which are fed by a complex network of stock tanks like Seventeen Tank and Tom Moore Tank. These water sources, crucial for ranching in the arid high country, are often associated with family names such as Meason Flat and Meason Spring. The presence of the Me Own Airport near the northeastern corner suggests the remote logistical needs of forest management or private aviation. A dense network of trails, including the Tom Moore Trl and Lower Black Canyon Trl, provides access through the deeply incised canyons and across the prominent Mid Mesa.