1972 Map of Packers Gap

About this map

Rourke Ranch sits as the primary point of settlement in this arid reach of the Colorado high plains, situated near the boundary between Otero County and Las Animas County. The landscape is defined by an intricate network of erosional features, including the West Branch and East Branch Crooked Arroyo, which carve through the Shale Hills and south toward the deep incisions of Bent Canyon. Infrastructure in this remote area is sparse, primarily serving ranching operations and utility transport, as evidenced by a pipeline cutting across the northwestern corner and the Rourke Landing Strip providing aerial access to the ranch. Natural water sources like the Spring and man-made landmarks such as Honey Windmill and various unnamed wells highlight the essential nature of water management in this environment. The passage through Packers Gap and the presence of numerous jeep trails indicate a region where travel is constrained by the rugged drainages of Minnie Canyon and Iron Canyon.