1963 Map of Reeds Peak

About this map

Gila National Forest encompasses this high-altitude landscape in southwestern New Mexico, where the Continental Divide traverses the Black Range. The map documents a rugged network of water sources and seasonal drainages, including the headwaters of the Mimbres River and Diamond Creek. Human presence is marked by isolated landmarks such as Reeds Ranch and Whitmore Cabin, alongside functional infrastructure like the Lookout Tower atop Diamond Peak. The area's topography is defined by significant elevations like Reeds Peak and Cherry Mountain, while a system of labeled routes like the Pack Trail and Jeep Trail suggests the difficult access typical of this wilderness area in the early 1960s. This survey captures a specific moment in land management, showing established points like the Upper Circle Seven Well and Curtis Well which supported livestock or forestry operations in the remote backcountry.