1968 Map of Pikes Stockade

About this map

Pikes Stockade (Historic Site) marks a pivotal location along the Conejos River in this high-desert landscape, reflecting early exploration and frontier history. The terrain is defined by the volcanic rises of the San Luis Hills, including prominent peaks like Sierra Del Ojito and Saddleback Mountain. This survey illustrates a complex water management system essential for agriculture in the San Luis Valley, featuring an extensive network of irrigation channels such as the Tenfoot Lateral, Twentyfoot Lateral, and Lasauses Ditch. To the northeast, the Alamosa Nat Wildlife Refuge sits along the Rio Grande, where the Hansen Bluff Slough and numerous flowing wells indicate the importance of the valley's artesian water. Geologists and local historians can trace the specific diversions and springs, including McIntire Spring and Dexter Spring, that have sustained this region since the late 19th century.