2017 Map of Puertecito Gap

About this map

The Magdalena Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in Socorro County, where extreme relief is defined by the Devils Backbone and the notable Bern Peak. This 2017 study illustrates a network of essential water sources in an arid environment, including Buffalo Tank, Escondido Tank, and Horse Mountain Tank, which were critical for the livestock operations that once defined the region. The map tracks the passage of Puertecito Arroyo through the complex terrain of the Indian Hills and into Puertecito Canyon. Evidence of early territorial infrastructure remains visible through the grid of the Public Land Survey System, which divides the rugged canyons and peaks near Milligan Gulch. This modern survey preserves the locations of numerous historic tanks and named canyons, such as Rosedale Canyon and Copper Canyon, providing a detailed look at how topographic features dictated the movement of people and resources through Puertecito Gap.