2010 Map of Optimo

About this map

The Santa Fe Trl cuts a bold diagonal across this high plains landscape, following an ancient corridor of travel through Mora County. This modern survey illustrates the enduring geography of the trail as it bypasses the southeastern foothills of the Turkey Mountains. Small ranching hubs and historic stops punctuate the arid terrain, including the community of Optimo and the nearby Howland site. The drainage patterns of the region are defined by seasonal waterways such as Arroyo Tierra Blanca and Arroyo Chorro, which converge as they flow toward the northeast. Settlement remains sparse, represented by isolated locations like Christmas Ranch, Ciruela, and Wiggins, alongside the small reservoir at Calleys Lake. This map provides a clear view of how modern transportation and property lines have overlaid the historic ranching tradition of northeastern New Mexico.