2017 Map of Red River Pass

About this map

Red River Pass and the historic route of the Old Red River Pass dominate this section of the Taos Mountains, where high-altitude transit routes cross the rugged divide between Taos and Colfax counties. The landscape is defined by the high peaks of the Carson National Forest, including Van Diest Peak and Tetilla Peak, which look down upon a series of mountain meadows known as parks. These include Italian Park, Hematite Park, and Kentucky Park, names that suggest the varied ethnic and industrial heritage of those who worked these high basins. The drainage patterns of Comanche Cr, Moreno Cr, and Bitter Cr illustrate the complex watershed of the Sangre de Cristo range, while specialized landmarks like Black Copper Canyon and Butcherknife Canyon hint at the prospecting and local lore of the region's earlier eras.