2020 Map of Riley

About this map

Riley sits at the southern edge of this Socorro County landscape, positioned near the seasonal course of the Rio Salado. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation shifts and geological features, including the prominent heights of Sierra Lucero and Yellow Mtn. This high-desert environment is deeply etched by drainage systems like Coyote Draw and the steep-walled Cañon del Tanque Hondo, which channel water toward the river valley during the monsoon season. A portion of the Cibola National Forest occupies the southwestern corner of the quadrangle, where the grid of Forest Rd and local routes like Co Rd 12 navigate the complex topography. The map illustrates a region of transition between open range and the protected timberlands of the national forest, reflecting the isolated ranching and grazing character of this part of New Mexico.