2023 Map of Montoya Butte

About this map

Montoya Butte rises as a central landmark in this high-desert region of Socorro County, where the topography is defined by the drainage of Alamosa Creek. The landscape transitions from the southern reaches of the Cibola National Forest into the complex drainages of the Sierra Cuchillo. Evidence of vital water sources in this arid terrain is found at Ojo Caliente and Alum Spring, which provided essential resources for early ranching and travel through the Monticello Box. The area is marked by a network of cattle tanks such as Boulder Tank and Elk Tank, supporting the local livestock economy across various canyons like Sam Hill Canyon and Knisely Canyon. This survey captures the traditional land divisions and remote access routes, including RD 142 and Forest 140 RD, that navigate the breaks between Black Mtn and the deep cuts of San Mateo Canyon.