1985 Map of Riley

About this map

Yellow Mountain dominates the southwestern portion of this Socorro County landscape, rising above the ephemeral watercourses that define the region's drainage. The arid terrain is marked by the seasonal flow of Coyote Draw and the more significant Rio Salado, which cuts across the southern edge of the sheet. This 1985 survey illustrates a sparsely populated area where human activity is primarily indicated by several scattered Prospects, suggesting localized mineral exploration or small-scale mining efforts typical of this high-desert environment. A portion of the Cibola National Forest is situated in the southwest corner, providing a contrast between managed federal lands and the surrounding open territory. The map serves as a detailed record of topographical elevations and the network of unimproved roads and trails that connected these remote points in the mid-1980s.