Loading map...

1995 Map of Monica Saddle

Name: 1995 Topographic Map of Monica Saddle
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1998
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1998

About this map

Durfee Ranch sits at the northern edge of this high-elevation landscape, where the Cibola National Forest boundary meets the rugged canyons of Socorro County. The map details a complex network of water sources essential for high-country life, from the Walking Beam Windmill and Bolander Windmill to specialized catchments like Moxley Tank and Old Tank. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages such as Durfee Canyon and Point of Rocks Canyon, revealing a landscape defined by its aridity and the logistical challenges of ranching and resource management.

Eastern sections of the sheet are designated as the Withington Wilderness, centered around the namesake Monica Saddle. This area preserves a primitive character where movement is dictated by the land's natural contours, evidenced by named springs like Switch Spring and Marine Place Spring. The presence of the Beartrap route and various 4WD tracks through Old Supply Canyon underscores the transition from early ranching access to modern backcountry preservation in the mid-1990s.