2020 Map of Polvadera Peak

About this map

Santa Fe National Forest and the Valles Caldera National Preserve meet in this high-altitude landscape of northern New Mexico. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevations including Polvadera Mesa, Mesa del Medio, and La Mesita del Canoncito Seco. A network of drainage systems such as Polvadera Cr, Santa Clara Cr, and Rito de los Indios carve through the plateaus, illustrating the complex hydrology that feeds the region's larger basins. Forest roads and trails like the Bancos Loop and Palo Quemador provide the primary access to these uplands. Notable high meadows, or cienegas, such as Cienega Redonda and Cienega del Oso, offer vital riparian breaks in the timbered environment, marking significant points of interest for those studying the intersection of the Jemez Mountains and the Rio Grande valley watershed.