2020 Map of Petaca Peak

About this map

Petaca Peak rises as a prominent landmark in this 2020 survey of northern New Mexico, standing over the transition from high mesas to deep drainage basins. The landscape is defined by the Rio Arriba Co and Taos Co boundary, which cuts through a region of complex geology. Water management is central to the land's utility, evidenced by a wide network of livestock and utility reservoirs like Ambrose Tank, Servilleta Tank, and Petaca Tank B. Large portions of the area fall under the stewardship of the Carson National Forest, where the terrain drops into dramatic features such as Servilleta Canyon and Dorado Canyon. These geographic labels reflect the cultural and natural history of the High Desert, tracing seasonal water flows through Arroyo Aguaje de la Petaca and across the Comanche Rim.