2013 Map of Red River Peak

About this map

Van Houten sits at the heart of this landscape, where the high-altitude drainage systems of Colfax County meet. The topography is defined by a dense network of canyons, many bearing the names of early settlers or local families, such as Mac Dougall Canyon, Schombrug Canyon, and McClellan Canyon. These deep incisions in the earth trace the movement of water toward the Canadian River in the northeast and through several major tributaries including Willow Cr and Falls Cr. The transition from prominent heights like Red River Peak to the more level arroyos to the east reveals a transition in land use, from the timbered and complex relief of Graveyard Canyon to the more accessible roads found further south. This 2013 survey provides a clear look at how rural infrastructure and natural landmarks define this portion of northern New Mexico.