2016 Map of Packers Gap

About this map

Comanche National Grassland dominates this Southeast Colorado landscape, where the high plains transition into a series of deeply incised drainages. The topography is defined by significant erosion features, notably Bent Canyon and Minnie Canyon, which channel seasonal water toward larger arroyo systems. A distinct pass known as Packers Gap sits between the elevations of the Shale Hills and the winding course of the South Fork Jack Canyon. Human impact on this arid environment is visible through water management and aviation, including the Browning and Reese Number 2 Reservoir in the northwest and the curiously named Wine Glass International Airport situated near the boundary where Otero and Las Animas counties meet. The map traces the complex hydrology of the region through the W Br Crooked Arroyo and E Br Crooked Arroyo.