1953 Map of Navajo Peak

About this map

Rio Chama carves a deep path through the center of this 1953 survey, defining a landscape of high plateaus and ancient history in Rio Arriba County. The boundary between the Santa Fe National Forest and Carson National Forest is clearly delineated across these sharp canyon walls. High on the mesas, indicators of long-term habitation appear in the form of Cliff Dwellings and unnamed Ruins, signaling the area's significance for archaeological and cultural history. The terrain is marked by prominent landforms like The Hogback and Navajo Peak, while the limited human infrastructure of the mid-century is represented by the Juan Gallegos Ranch and a network of stock tanks such as Sargent Tank and Golondrino Tank. Isolated routes like the Hart Canyon Trail and various unnamed pack trails offer the only passage through the steep drainages of Cebolla Canyon and Mesa De Los Viejos.