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2016 Map of Painted Canyon

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Painted Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves a deep, winding course through this section of Las Animas County, creating a series of dramatic geographic features including Painted Canyon and Purgatoire Canyon. The landscape is defined by its complex drainage network, where seasonal waterways like Van Bremer Arroyo and Luning Arroyo cut through the high plains toward the river valley. In this arid environment, isolated water sources such as Jack Canyon Spring were historically vital for local ranching operations.

Named canyons dominate the terrain, often bearing the names of early settlers or local families, such as Gutierrez Canyon, Kiowa Canyon, and Trementina Canyon. To the northwest, the prominent ridge of The Hogback stands as a distinct geological marker. The map shows a sparse network of county roads, including Co RD 143 and Co RD 48, which provide access to this remote ranching country between the various tributary canyons like Hunt Canyon and Perly Canyon.