2011 Map of Riley Canyon

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves a deep path through Otero County in this 2011 survey, winding through a landscape dominated by complex drainage systems and isolated cattle-ranching infrastructure. The canyon lands are defined by high-walled tributaries such as Riley Canyon, Penitenta Canyon, and Gaussion Canyon, which feed into the larger river valley. For local historians and genealogists, the map preserves the locations of two distinct burial grounds, the Martinez Cemetery and San Jose Cemetery, situated near the floor of the Ninemile Valley. The reliance on groundwater in this arid terrain is evidenced by several named landmarks, including the Girard Windmill and Little Windmill along the western plateau. Transport into the rugged canyon floors is facilitated by routes like Rourke Rd and County Rd 804, which provide access to the remote Withers Canyon and Purgatoire Canyon reaches.