1981 Map of O Bar O Canyon West

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high-altitude landscape of western New Mexico, crossing through the northern reaches of the Gila National Forest. This 1981 survey documents a terrain defined by deep drainage systems like La Jolla Canyon and Mesa Redonda Canyon that cut through the prominent O Bar O Mountain. The map reveals a land managed for ranching and forest operations, characterized by a complex network of water catchments including Reliable Tank, Mesa Redonda Tank, and Horse Camp Tank. Towards the south, the topography rises into the Elk Mountains, where South Elk Road provides one of the few established routes through the timbered heights. This record of the backcountry captures the essential water infrastructure required for survival and industry in the high desert before modern technological shifts altered traditional land use patterns.