1966 Map of Mora Ranch

About this map

Ocate Creek carves a deep path through this high-altitude landscape of northeast New Mexico, defining the transition between the expansive Rivera Mesa and Apache Mesa. This 1966 field-checked survey reveals a ranching landscape where isolated settlements like Naranjos and the Mora Ranch headquarters sit along the water's edge. A significant historical corridor is preserved here via the Santa Fe Trail (Mountain Route), which skirts the eastern edges of the mesas. Small-scale human markers are scattered throughout the canyon and mesa terrain, including a lonely Grave near Naranjos and the Calhoun Cem further downstream. The presence of the Mora Ranch Landing Area suggests the modern logistical needs of these vast land holdings, while a simple Prospect near Charette Mesa points to early mineral exploration in the region's volcanic and sedimentary layers.