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1963 Map of Pajarita Mountain

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Pajarita Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation lands dominate this mid-century topographic survey, centered on the high terrain of Pajarita Mountain where a Lookout Tower marks the summit. The landscape is defined by a series of prominent drainages, including Whitetail Canyon and Turkey Canyon, which carve through the high desert plateau. These deep canyons dictate the movement of travelers and the placement of remote outposts like Cow Camp No 1.

The reliance on groundwater for ranching and local utility is evident through the numerous named water sources scattered across the ridges and canyon floors. Notable features include Rock House Well, Yellow Tank, and Rattlesnake Well, which illustrate the infrastructure required for survival in this arid environment. A network of unimproved roads and a Jeep Trail provide the only access to the interior, reflecting the isolation and functional character of the reservation land during the early 1960s.