2020 Map of Optimo

About this map

The Turkey Mountains dominate the western portion of this Mora County landscape, where the high desert terrain transitions into a network of drainage arroyos. The settlement of Optimo is situated in the southeastern corner, serving as a focal point in a region characterized by wide-reaching ranching lands and ephemeral watercourses. Several significant drainages, including Arroyo Tierra Blanca, Arroyo Chorro, and Ciruela Cr, carve through the topography, illustrating the natural water management of the high plains. The map also identifies the locality of Ciruela and water features like Calleys Lake, alongside access routes such as Christmas Ranch Rd. This 2020 survey provides a modern topographical record of these remote northern New Mexico settlements, documenting the persistence of rural land divisions and the geographic isolation of these mountain-flanked communities.