2011 Map of Pickett Hill

About this map

Pickett Hill rises as a central landmark in this high-desert Otero County landscape, where water management is the primary signature of land use. The terrain is marked by a sophisticated network of catchment systems, including Big Boy Tank, Irabarne Tank, and Coats Lake, essential for livestock operations in this arid region. The presence of National Livestock Rd and ranching outposts like Andrus and Golf Ranch underscores the area's continued agricultural heritage. Small-scale human presence is further noted at the Game Department Cabin and Poor House, likely connected to state land management or older pastoral efforts. Canyons and washes, such as Sixshooter Canyon and Wildcat Draw, cut through the topography, leading toward the notable passage at El Paso Gap. This 2011 survey documents a modern snapshot of a traditional ranching environment where every named feature relates to the essential hunt for water and access.