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2017 Map of Rayado

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Rayado
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Rayado and the nearby Sunny Side settlement sit at the threshold of the high plains and the rising tablelands of northern New Mexico. This landscape is defined by its distinct flat-topped mesas and the drainage networks of Rayado Cr and Sweetwater Cr. The map reveals the early pioneer footprint in the area, most notably through the Abreu Cem and landmarks like Kit Carson Mesa, reflecting the history of the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail and the expansion of the Maxwell Land Grant.

Water management is central to the land's utility, marked by the presence of Miami Lake and Espinosa Lake on River Mesa. The alignment of Co RD C-1 and the surrounding network of creeks, including Moras Cr and Alona Cr, shows how the topography dictated the movement of people and livestock between the sprawling Rayado Mesa and the lower pastures. This survey provides a precise look at the 2017 boundaries of the Colfax and Mora county lines as they bisect these high-altitude ranching territories.