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1971 Map of Robinson Peak

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Robinson Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Johnson Mesa dominates the high western plateau of this landscape, where the basalt-capped heights drop away into a complex network of canyons and draws. The water systems define the human geography of the region, with Archuleta Creek and the Cimarron River carving deep paths through the volcanic terrain. Traces of early settlement and travel are evident in the Old Railroad Grade that cuts across the southern flats, while a solitary † Grave and several named water sources like Griego Spring and Jack Miller Spring suggest the locations of former homesteads or reliable camps in this arid environment.

The topography is punctuated by prominent volcanic features including Robinson Peak, Jose Butte, and Cinder Butte. These landmarks, along with family-named features like Prudencio Canyon and Martinez Canyon, provide a detailed record of the land use patterns in northern New Mexico during the early 1970s. The presence of several catchment basins, such as Gringo Lake and Rockwell Lake, illustrates the vital importance of water management on the mesa and surrounding slopes.